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iN'lcKtl ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, .h THE rtAR 1901, at 

D. z. HOv/-;i ' 

Ut IMt OF» C»r .(■• TnE L.liK.-.R'AN OF CJN^KciS, n' rt --oHlNaTON, 0. C. 'J. 3. A- 



Mi^. Edwin c Oh. . 



OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT 

Ah Man, the Noblest and Purest of his Times 
As a Citizen, the Grandest of his Nation. 

As a Statesman, the Idol of Millions ot People, 

A\EA\ORIAL LIFE 

OF 



WILLIAM McKINL 



CONTAINING A 

FULL ACCOUNT OF HIS EARLY LIFE; HIS AMBITION TO OBTAIN 

AN EDUCATION; HIS BRILLIANT CAREER AS A SOLDIER IN 

THE CIVIL WAR; HIS PATRIOTIC RECORD AS A MEMBER 

OF CONGRESS AND GOVERNOR OF HIS STATE; HIS 

ABLE ADMINISTRATION AS PRESIDENT, ETC. 

INCLUDING A 
THRILLING ACCOUNT OF HIS ASSASSINATION ; HIS HEROIC 
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE; HOPE OF RECOVERY SUDDENLY 
BLASTED; PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND ANXIOUS SUS- 
PENSE OF THE WHOLE CIVILIZED WORLD, ETC. 

TOGETHER WITH A FULL 

HISTORY OF ANARCHY and its INFAMOUS DEEDS 
By COL. G, W: TOWNSEND 

THE WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR 
WITH AN INTRODUCTION 

By HON, JAMES RANKIN YOUNG 

Member ot Congress and formerly Clerk of the United States Senate 

INCLUDING THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT 



Profusely Embellished with Superb Engravings 



II \^^o\ 




PREFACE. 



HE news of tlie appalling tragedy tliat ended tlie 
life of our beloved President was received with pro- 
found liorror and indignation throughout the civ- 
ilized world. It was instantly followed with a great 
outbreak of popular wrath and execration. No 
American Statesman or President ever filled the hearts of the 
people more fully than he did. 

The martyrdom of Lincoln and Garfield won for them a pecu- 
liar veneration and their uames are now consecrated in the memory 
of their countrymen. President McKinley gained the highest 
place in public esteem, admiration and love, and his name and 
memory are doubly consecrated by his untimely death. 

Brilliant as a Statesman and wise as a ruler, President 
McKinley was more than this. He was loved for his warm and 
generous nature. His patriotism was so broad and bold that it 
won the applause of his political opponents. Even they believed 
iu the man. They honored his opinions and his honesty even 
though they differed from him. He was followed with the de- 
votion and enthusiasm of the army that bore the eagle of France 
when Napoleon marched to his world-renowned victories. As the 
mighty ocean is stirred by the resistless cyclone, so the hearts of 
the American people have been moved by the infamous crime that 
laid our third martyred President in the grave. 

The complete and graphic story of President McKmley's 
marvelous career is written in this volume. His life and public 
services are a part of our country's most thrilling history, and 
these are vividly detailed in this work which is worthy of its 
illustrious subject. No grander record of dazzling achievements 
•an b- placed under the name of any man of modern times. Not 
merely in intellect, eloquence and far-seeing statesmanship-not 
merely as a great political leader and advocate of our national 
industries, welfare and great prosperity, but as a man of noble 



IV PREFACE. 

virtues and exalted cliaracter, President McKinley <5tood upon the 
highest pedestal. He fell from the very pinnacle of human fame. 

From his boyhood to his entrance into the army, from his 
noble stand for his country to the close of the Civil War, from 
his obscure beginning as a public man to the grand successes 
that pointed to him as a fit representative of his State in Con- 
gress, from his proud triumphs under the dome of our National 
Capitol to the Governorship of his State, and Presidency of the 
United States, the reader follows him with ever-increasing interest 
and admiration. 

He was the master statesman of his age, the magnetic leader 
and gallant defender of American rights, the idol of his nation, 
unsurpassed in eloquence, invincible in debate — the man who 
was greater than any part}^ and who will rank in history with 
Washington, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield. This memorial volume 
contains the complete and fascinating story of his life and depicts 
in glowing colors his marvelous career. 

In Congress he was considered an authority on every 
subject upon which he expressed an opinion. Clear in his grasp 
of public questions, eloquent in advocating the principles he pro- 
fessed, considerate and lenient toward his opponents, affable in 
all his intercourse with others, and manifesting always a certain 
dignity, strength and sincerity that impressed all who knew him, 
he was for years one of the most conspicuous figures in the halls 
of Congress. For William McKinley to become President of the 
United States was only a natural step from the commanding 
position he had gained. 

The story of President McKinley' s life is much like that of 
nearly all our renowned statesmen and rulers. He was born in 
humble life. He had that contact with Mother Earth which 
falls to the lot of the farmer's son. While his advantages for edu- 
cation were not the best, he made such diligent use of his time and 
opportunities that he became distinguished as a scholar, and espe- 
cially as a student of political economy. He is an admirable 
example for young men. Let them emulate his diligence, his 
lawful ambition, his devotion to duty, and enthusiasm as a worker. 



iNTRODUCTiON. 

BY 

HON. JAMES RANKIN YOUNG, 

!Vle»iber of Congress and Late Clerk of the United States Senate. 

Probably there is no one fact in the history of the Republic, 
of which Americans are prouder than that all their Presidents 
were exceptionally good men — men who filled the great office with 
credit to themselves and honor to the Nation. They were espe- 
cially noted for their earnest love of country, their rigid integrity 
and the simplicity of their lives. 

Simplicity was the ruling point in view when our fathers 
founded the Government, and the Presidents, in the performance 
of their duties, never seemed to have lost sight of the fact. Sim- 
plicity is known to be the leading characteristic of all great men, 
probably it would be better to say men who combine that which 
is good with that which is great. We saw it as a shining mark 
in Washington ; it was the ruling spirit with Jefferson, it made 
Jackson more famous than did his deeds of heroism and aggres- 
siveness, it was personified in Lincoln and Grant, but with no 
desire to retract from the others, I am free to say that the perfect 
model of simplicity was found in McKinley. 

It was his life and staff. It permeated every fibre of his 
make up. It came with him at his birth. It cluug to him 
through life — as the youth at school, as the soldier in the field, in 
his profession as a lawyer, as the servant of the public in the 
trusted positions in which they placed him. You had but to look 
at the benign expression ever present in his countenance to see 
that gentleness of nature was his leading characteristic. 

Probably no better idea of just what the character of man our 
late President was can be found than in what was said of him 



^ ^HTRODUCTiON. 

by my brother, tht late Jobn Russell Young, who was bis constant 
companiou in bis borne at Canton, dnring tbe week wben tbe 
Republican National Convention was beld at St. Louis, June, 1896. 

'' Wbile," says Mr. Young, writing from a table adjoining 
tbat occupied by Mr. McKinley, "tbe Major," as the late Presi- 
dent was tben called, " is in toucb witb whatever is going on in 
St. Louis, and as much in command of bis forces in attendance at 
tbe Convention there, as Napoleon when he saw the gray morning 
skies brighten over the frosty plains of Austerlitz, there is in 
what he says a spirit of generosity and magnanimity. Here is a 
gentleman with opinions, and by no means reserved in their 
expression, running over men, events, happenings, possibilities, 
and ever just and true. 

"He states a case or an estimate of a man, not as you would 
like it to be, but as it is, seeking always to find the best side and 
exhibit that. There is no throwing a man over a precipice with 
a phrase as Conkling would have done, nor some withering ques- 
tion of invective as so often fell from the lips of Blaine, but rather 
Uncle Toby's way, that the world is big enough for us all, and let 
us adjust ourselves without jostling. Behind this you have a 
granite wall of party stalwartism, reverence, a reverence for the 
Union, adoration for the men who saved the Union." 

Continuing Mr. Young says: — " Because of the doings in the 
St. Louis Convention Canton lives in a state of uneasy hope and 
expectation. Mr. McKinley is apparently the only placid man in 
town. He takes the concentration of the eyes of the world upon 
him with entire composure. He has been under fire before, has 
ridden by the side of Sheridan and Hancock in the great war, and 
is not to be disturbed by a mere political cannonade. You find 
him at the trains greeting friends with words of welcome or fare- 
well, or jogging about the town or driving over shaded lanes and 
pointing out to some companions the growth and beauty of Canton, 
or the centre of a group of political parties who have come to adore 
the rising sun. 

" What they see is a resolute, quiet, courteous, kindly man, 
mtb. sun beaming eyes, thoughtful, considerate. It has been my 



INTRODUCTION. rj 

prinlege to nde witli him and learn all that is involved in liis 
beloved Canton, to sit witli him on his spacious piazza and look out 
upon the calm hushed tovvn while we talked of men and events." 

Speaking further on Mr. Young makes allusion to the beau- 
tiful homelife of Mr. McKinley and his dearly beloved wife. "The 
McKinley homestead," he says, '' is an ideal American home, as 
its master is an ideal American citizen. Taste, comfort, good 
books, attractive decorations, the touch of the woman's hand every- 
where, for how could there have been an Bden unless Eve had 
made it so. An atmosphere of gentleness and repose. In spite 
of the excitement because of the doings at the convention — -nobody 
seemed to be in a hurry ; not even Governor McKinley, who, with 
his shoulders thrown against his easy chair, talks and listens — 
listens rather than talks — his fine eyes beaming through the 
smoke of a cigar. The stillest, cosiest, sunniest place in the world, 
the very birds picking crumbs on the window ledge, as if in a doze, 
yet the heart of a great nation beating and throbbing towards this 
modest home in Canton. 

" As the news comes over the wires from the convention Mr. 
McKinley sits in his modest home — the portraits of Washington, 
Lincoln and Grant above him — and goes from pile to pile of cor- 
respondence as though the theme of his letters were orders for 
iron or snuff and not a diadem richer than ever rested upon an 
imperial brow — a thoroughly self-contained man, who says pre- 
cisely what he means to say ; never taken at a disadvantage, 
eminently serious, whether listening or talking his mind upon the 
one thing that concerns him. You divine in him a capacity for 
doing business, of hearing what has to be said and closing the 
conversation. When all that is useful has been said, wit, humor, 
imagination are not apparent qualities. This man has something 
to do and must do it. 

" You see in liim a man of patience and courtesy. If you are 
not answered as to yourwauts you carr}^ away the impression that 
he is more grieved over your disappointment than you could 
possiblv be. This is something like Henry Clay. He has a 
quiet, prompt, narrative faculty. We talked much of the war 



v'ill NTRODUCTION. 

days of Lincoln, Grant and Sheridan, and lie was always luminou* 
and lucid, every detail coming out as though it were an etching. 
He had served with Sheridan, was in fact the first officer Sheri- 
dan addressed when he came upon his beaten command, having 
ridden that immortal twenty miles, and in all his references to 
Sheridan and Crook and other famous captains there was a beauti- 
ful spirit of loyalty which noted the comradeship of the drum and 
the bivouac. Mr. McKinley impresses you as one who knows 
his mind — who would have a host of friends but few of what the 
world calls chums. 

" I noted that his estimates of public men — and few escaped 
the scrutiny of a long conversation — were invariably academic and 
impartial — without censure, criticism or feeling. Lincoln, Stanton, 
Blaine, Grant, Garfield, Arthur, Randall were like so many photo- 
graphs, and carefully studied and reverently put aside. For no 
one had he an unkind word. His ruling faculty is justice, wide 
embracing justice, tempered with kindness. 

'' I have to sa}^ that when the character of Mr. McKinley 
shall have been submitted to the political autopsy inseparable 
from the political canvass, an examination imposed something 
like a masonic ritual, upon every candidate for the exalted posi- 
tion of President, there is nothing in Mr. McKinley that may not 
be called genuine and true." 

He came from Scotch ancestry, or rather Scotch-Irish, like 
Jackson, Buchanan and Arthur, His ancestors had a Pennsyl- 
vania nurture like those of Blaine, Lincoln and Grant. McKinley's 
father was a Pennsylvanian ; his mother an Allison, a name dear 
to those who recall and love the names of the Scottish Covenant. 
He became a Methodist like so many Covenanters, of amiable mood, 
who settled in the West, and was of course an Abolitionist 
nourished on the com of Garrison, Sumner and Wendell Phillips. 

JAMES RANKIN YOUNG. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER 1. PAGE 

Birtli and Education of President McKinley — His Brilliant 
Career in the Army and Promotion for Bravery — Dis- 
tinguished as a Lawyer, Congressman and Governor — 
Champion of the Rights of Labor 33 

CHAPTER II. 

A Man of Noble Ideals and Unselfish Aims— His Domestic 
Fidelity — A Governor of Rare Sagacity — His Successful 
Administration as President ....,..., 47 

CHAPTER III 

Career of President McKinley — Raised to Rank of Captain 
and Brevet-Major in the Army — Romance of Early Life 
— Conspicuous Acts of Legislation During His Adminis- 
tration as President 64 

CHAPTER IV. 

Additional Account of President McKinley's Life— Illustrious 
Ancestry — -A Young Patriot in the Army — First Term 
in the White House and Re-election 90 

CHAPTER V. 

Incidents in President McKinley's Career — Gallant Exploits 
on the Field of Battle — Daring Feat at Antietam — Always 
True to His Pledge . 108 

CHAPTER VI. 

Mr. McKinley's Commanding Influence in Congress — Famous 
Author of the Tariff Bill Bearing His Name— His Nota- 
ble Career as Governor of Ohio — First Term as President 
-His Home Life and Personality c ........ . 126 

ix 



CHAPTER VIL page 

Important State Papers and Speeches of President McKinley 
—Message to Congress on the War in Cuba— Addresses 
at Peace Jubilees ^ i47 

CHAPTER Vin. 
Glowing Tribute to Our Lamented President— Speech on 
Being Notified of His Second Nomination— Masterly 
Statement of the Political History of Our Country . . • i68 

CHAPTER IX. 

Story of the Assassination of President McKinley— Graphic 
Picture of the Tragic Act— The Assassin Caught and 
Roughly Handled— Public Indignation and Horror . . 189 

CHAPTER X. 
Additional Account of the Assassination— Two Shots in Quick 
Succession — Instant Lynching Threatened— Surgeons 
Summoned — Horror at the Dastardly Deed — The Nation 
Stunned by the Terrible News 202 

CHAPTER XL 

Mrs. McKinley Hears the Appalling News— The Nation 
Bowed with Grief— Europe Aghast at the Diabolical 
Crime 221 

CHAPTER XIL 

Strong Hopes at First of the President's Recovery — Days of 
Anxious Suspense — Some Account of the Assassin — 
Arrest of Notorious Anarchists 234 

CHAPTER XIIL 
Last Hours of the President— " It is God's Way, His Will be 
Done"— Anxious Multitudes Await the Sorrowful 
Tidings— Universal Grief and Sympathy .... 249 



CC14TEWTS. iA 

CHAPTER XIV. J»iUM5 

Additional Account of President McKinley's Death — Hope 
Ending in Despair — Medical Skill Exhausted — Cause of 
the Final Relapse . , . . 275 

CHAPTER XV. 

Obsequies of Our Martyred President— Extraordinay Demon- 
strations of Public Sorrow— Body Lying in State at 
Buffalo— Immense Throngs of People Passing the Bier 
— Short and Simple Funeral Services 294 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Great Outpouring of People to Honor the Martyred President 
—Tokens of Grief— New President and Members of the 
Cabinet at the Bier — Memorable Scene .-,.... 3^^ 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Funeral Cortege Reaches Washington— A Nation's Tribute 
of Respect and Love— Sei-vices in the Capitol— Memorial 
Address ,.,.,......» ^ • — 33^ 

CHAPTER XVIIL 
Eloquent Eulogy on the Dead President— Floral Offerings- 
Great Crush to View the Remains— Distinguished Per- 
sons Present < • 34^ 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Last Funeral Rites at Canton— Imposing Demonstrations- 
Scenes at the Church— President Roosevelt and Other 
distinguished Mourners ....=,.......♦• 3^4 

CHAPTER XX. 

Magnificent Tributes to Mr. McKinley— Eloquent Eulogies 
from Celebrities— Grief and Indignation— The Presi- 
dent's Virtues and Character Extolled . - • • • 39^ 



xii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXL page 

Additional Tributes to President McKiuley — Messages from 
Crowned Heads — Canada Observes the Day of Obsequies 
— All Business Suspended Throughout Our Country . . 415 

CHAPTER XXIL 
Personal Traits of Mr. McKinley — Never Swerved from the 
Path of Duty — Anecdotes and Incidents — His Kind 
Heart — Affection for Old Friends 426 

CHAPTER XXIIL 
Origin and Rise of Anarchism — Its Theory and Practice — 
Aims to Overthrow All Lawful Government — Assassina- 
tions of Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley 438 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Trial and Conviction of the Assassin — Remarkable Scenes 
in Court — Counsel Laments the President's Death — 
Sentence of Death Pronounced 460 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Our New President — Hon. Theodore Roosevelt Hurries to 
Buffalo — Sworn in as President with Impressive Cere- 
mony — Pathetic Scene — His First Official Act 467 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
The Hero of San Juan — President Roosevelt's Active Life — 
Ancestry and Education — His Strong Personality — A 
Man of Deep Convictions and Great Courage 481 

CHAPTER XXVIL 
President Roosevelt in the Battle of San Juan— Story of 

Brave Exploits— Ballad of "Teddy's Terrors." . . . 49H 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Electrocution of the Dastardly Assassin — The Death Knell 

of Anarchism — Last Moments of the Culprit 513 



CHAPITER I, 

Birth and Education of President McKinley — His BrilliaT 
Career in the Army and Promotion for Bravery — Dis- 
tinguished as a Lawyer, Congressman and Governor- 
Champion of the Rights of Labor. 

A CROWDED public reception iu the Temple of Music at the 
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. President McKinley 
shaking hands with the throng. Suddenly the sharp crack of a 
pistol shot, repeated in an instant. The President twice wounded 
by a desperate assassin. Horror, commotion and indignation on 
every side. 

Such is the short and appalling story of that fatal Friday 
afternoon, the sixth of September, 1901. Our honored President, 
who held so strong a place in the hearts of the whole American 
people was stricken by the dastardly hand of a coward and mur- 
derer. The shot was winged with death. 

He was in the apparent enjoyment of health, honor and every 
token of happiness. He was applauded by the vast throng that 
crowded around him at the Exposition Grounds. In the twinkling 
of an e3^e a ghastly change came over the whole scene. Men were 
petrified by the infamous deed ; others were maddened to desper- 
ation. We shall relate the story of Mr. McKinley's life, with the 
earnest endeavor to make these pages worth}^ of the illustrious 
President, whose tragic death has stirred the hearts of the whole 
American people to their lowest depths. 

Seldom in the public life of the statesmen of this republic 
has the wisdom of pertinacious, continuous application to one 
broad issue of national policy as a road to highest preferment 
been so completely approved as in the career of President 
William McKinley. Twice his conspicuous championship of 
protection and home markets for American workmen almost 
stampeded conventions to his nomination, when acceptance 
s McK '^^ 



S4 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKlNLEY, 

would have been violative of the high stand, and of personal 
honor, which has marked his public and private life. 

Quiet, dignified, modest, considerate of others, ever ready to 
postpone his own ambitions in favor of those of veterans of 
longer service, faithful to friends, unwavering in integrity, tactful 
in silencing opposition, but unyielding in matters of principle, 
strong in his sympathy with the toilers, unchanged by success, 
abounding in hope under defeat, of unspotted private life, he 
won his way to the top as one of the best examples of courageous, 
persevering, vigorous manhood that the nation has ever produced. 

IN TOUCH WITH PLAIN PEOPLE. 

More than any other who has reached his proud pre- 
eminence, save only Abraham Ivincoln, his touch was closest with 
those " plain people " upon whom the martyred Lincoln relied 
with such unhesitating confidence. While yet a youth he 
marched in the ranks, a private soldier, and saw four years of 
the bloody struggle which made the country all free. In poverty 
he wrought to acquire his profession. These years of self-denial 
brought with them the self-reliance and self-control v/hich 
resulted in his leadership on the floor of Congress at an age when 
no other American, save Henry Clay, had ever achieved similar 
prominence. 

He bore his part in great debates in a manner quiet, self- 
possessed and dignified. His incisive logic, caustic raillery at 
antagonists, and sarcastic comments on the shortcomings of his 
own party, gave him a mastery in debate which won the admira- 
tion even of those who opposed him. Mr. McKinley's personality 
like his career was the fruit of a peculiarly logical and system- 
atic character. Where others knew superficially he knew 
thoroughly. This thoroughness and skill in handling a slender 
majority of twenty-two enabled him to pass that tariff bill which 
bears his name, which found less favor when enacted than it 
has enjoyed since its revision. He afterward stood as the em- 
bodiment and apostle of that principle. 

It is not easy always to analyze the causes of a popular 



EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLFJY. 



35 



favorite's liold upon the masses. Higli principle, personal ma^- 
netism, gallantry, boidness even to rashness, great skill in debate 
or ability as a platform orator— all these may in turn be cited as 
reasons why a man should be liked or respected. But to awake 
the love and warmest admiration of a people require qualities 
which well nigh defy analysis. It has been Mr. McKinley's good 
fortune to be able to offer a very large class of his fellow-citizens 
just what they seemed to need. 

He aroused and attracted their sympathies, and this tre- 
mendous logical fact is what brought about the overwhelming 
ground-swell which swept other aspirants off their feet, and 
landed him an easy winner over men of larger public service and 
greater brilliance in many of the attributes of statesmanship. 
"All things come to him who waits," and William McKinley's 
self-denial received its great reward. 

CAME FROM A STURDY PARENTAGE. 

Mr. McKinley had a long expectation of life if the longevity 
of his parents can be taken as an indication. His father, Wil- 
liam McKinley, Sr., died in 1893, at the ripe age of 85, and his 
mother, Mrs. Nancy McKinley, died in 1899, at Canton, the 
proud recipient of the filial attentions of her distinguished son. 
Mrs. Nancy McKinley's father was of German birth, and her 
mother was of Scotch descent. William McKinley seniors 
grandfather was a Scotch-Irishman, and his mother was an 
Englishwoman. Mr. McKinley, Sr., was born in Mercer County, 
Pa., but his family moved to Nev/ Lisbon, Columbiana County, 
O., in 1809, where for many years he was manager of a blast 
furnace. 

It was in New Lisbon that he met his wife, whom he married 
in 1838. Two sons, David and James, were born there, but owing 
to lack of educational facilities the father established his family 
in a little house in Ni'les, Trumbull County. It was in this 
house that William McKinley was born, January 29, 1843. It 
is worth remark that a considerable number of prominent Ameri- 
pans were natives of counties of Ohio, in the near vicinity of Niles, 



36 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

Cu3'alioga, thirty miles away, was tlie birthplace of James A. 
Garfield. Senator Allison, of Iowa, lived only thirty miles from 
Canton, and Senator Manderson, of Nebraska, lived and married 
only fifteen miles from that city. Ex-Senator Thomas Collier 
Piatt kept store at one time in Massillon, only eight miles away, 
and Senator Quay's home at Beaver is only sixty miles off. 
Rutherford B. Hayes was a native of Delaware County, near by, 
and Senator Sherman and General William T. Sherman were 
born and reared at Lancaster, O., less than a hundred miles 
away. 

Several of Mr. McKinley's brothers and sisters died in 
infancy. His oldest brother, David, was a resident of San Fran- 
cisco, where he discharged the duty of Hawaiian Consul to the 
United States. James, the next older brother, died about 1890. 
Abner, a younger brother has been engaged in business in New 
York. William McKinley entered the village school in Poland, 
to whicb his family had removed when only five years old. He 
remained in the schools of that town until in bis seventeenth 
year, when he made enough money by teaching in a near by dis- 
trict public school to pay his matriculation fees in Allegheny 

College. 

CALL TO ARMS FOUND HIM READY. 

He remained at the college only a few weeks when the call 
to arms for the Civil War came, and the pale-faced, grey-eyed, 
earnest and patriotic young student flung aside his books and 
decided to shoulder a musket for the preservation of tbe Union. 
This step was taken only after earnest conference with his 
parents. Owing to his youth and physical immaturity they were 
ioath to consent to interruption of his studies and the incident 
exposure to the hardship of campaigning. 

But the enthusiastic patriotism of the youth kindled like 
emotion in the Scotch-Irish blood of his jDarents and bore down 
their opposition, for they saw that in spite of his youth there was 
plenty of fighting stuff in him. And so his education in books 
vjnded, and that broader education of stirring events and the waysj 
of n».eo began. 



EARLY LIFE oF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. ^t 

Voting McKinley entered the Union army a mere stripling, 
without influence or powerful friends, with only a heart brimful of 
patriotism and love for his flag. He joined a company of volun- 
teers from his own neighborhood, which, after the fashion of the 
time, took the pretentious name of " The Poland Guards." The 
company had already selected its officers. The captain, a youtli 
named Zimmerman, was chosen because of a brief service in 
a Pennsylvania militia company, in which he had learned the 
facings and a few other rudiments of the school of the soldier. 
He was the only man in the company who had any military 
training whatever. ^ j 

Another young fellow named Race was first lieutenant, and 
J L Botsford, second lieutenant. This company was mustered 
into the volunteer service at Columbus by General John C. Fre- 
mont in Jnne, 1861, and was attached to the Twenty-third Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, of which William S. Rosecranz was colonel 
and Rutherford B. Hayes major. 

HARDSHIPS OF A SOLDIER'S LIFE. 
The reo-iment saw service first in General George B. 
McClellan's campaign in the Kanawha, which wrested West 
Virginia from the parent State and added another star to the 
sisterhood of States. It was a campaign of few battles, hard 
marches and plenty of experience in the hardships of soldiering. 
Of the fourteen months which McKinley served m the ranks he 
once said : " I always look back with pleasure on those fourteen 
months of soldiering. They taught me a great deal. I was only 
a school-boy when I entered the ranks, and that year was the 
formative period of my life, during which I learned much of men 
anTaffairs' I have always been glad that I entered the service 

" ' Amotion came to him after Antietam. During that battle 
he was acting commissary for his company, and in the heat ot 
Se fight he took cooked rations to the front to feed his hungry 
Irades who had been in battle line for t-ntyfotir hoiir. 
The fighters fell back in squads to refresh themselves, and ^^ere 



38 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINi^EY. 

loud ill praises of McKinley's thoughtfulness. He obtained 
furlough a few days after the battle. 

On his way home he passed through Columbus and paid his 
respects to Governor Tod, who surprised the young volunteer by 
presenting him with a second lieutenant's commission. General 
Hayes, who had been wounded at the battle, was home and 
recommended the promotion. This was September 24, 1862. 
February 7, 1863, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and on 
July 25, 1864, captain. This latter promotion was supplemented 
by his appointment as adjutant-general of his brigade, and he 
remained upon the staff until mustered out in July, 1865. 

It was as assistant adjutant-general that he went through 
Sheridan's famous campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. While 
on his way to Winchester Sheridan found young McKinley, then 
only 21 3^ears old, rallying the panic-stricken troops at Cedar 
Creek, and at Berry ville the young officer's horse was killed 
under him. "For gallant and meritorious services at the battle 
of the Opiquan, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill," reads his com- 
mission as brevet-major, and it is signed " A. Lincoln." 

ADMIRED BY YOUNG MEN, 

Thus William McKinley, at a time of his life when most 
young men are at school or preparing for professional life, had 
experience in over four years of active warfare and had con- 
tributed as many years of his life to active militaiy service of his 
country as any veteran of the Civil War. This, is one of the 
potent holds he had upon the young men of the country who 
steadily held him in view as a paragon of youthful courage aud 
patriotism. 

The war over, McKinley fouud himself at 22, a man without 
a profession and means to live on. Military life stilt had many 
fascinations for him, and a commission in the regular army was 
within the reach of the influence he was now able to exert. That 
would at least provide him with a living, aud the temptation was 
strong. His sister. Miss Anna McKinley, a woman of fine judg- 
ment and strong character, had already established herself as a 



EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKlNLEY. 



39 



school teacher in Canton, O., and she proved to be the pioneer of 
the McKinley family in Stark Connty. It was largely dne to her 
forcible arguments that the young soldier laid off his uniform 
and devoted himself to study of law. 

This period of three years between the time he left the mili- 
tary service, in 1865, and the day he left the Law School, at 
Albany N Y., in 1868, is one of which few f^icts are known. 
The man who knows all about the difEculties and struggles with 
lean purse and long ambition that marked those years has never 
taken any one into his confidence concerning them. He had the 
advantage of the law library of Judge Glidden, in whose ofEce he 
was entered as a law student. That able jurist took great interest 
in his pupil and gave him freely of his knowledge^ When the 
young man was at last admitted to the bar Judge Glidden ga^^ 
him his first case. This is always a memorable event m the life 

of a voung lawyer. 

•^ WON HIS FIRST CASE. 

It came about thus : McKiuley had foand a hole in the wall 
outside of which he stuck up his shingle as a lawyer. A fortnight 
passed and so did all clients. Then Judge Ghddeu hand d the 
half-discouraged young attorney a bundle of papers with the 

'^^"''''' M^, here are the papers in a case which is coming up 
to-morrow. I have got to go out of town and j^u >--t^>T >^ 
"I have never tried a case yet, you know, Judge! McKmley 

"'^^'" Well, begin on this one then," Glidden answered. McKin- 
ley began work at once, and after studying the case all n.g^t ^.-ent to 
court next day and won the suit. Glidden called at his oifice a 
?ew days afterward and handed McKinley $25, which he refused 

'° ''^ It is too much. Judge, for one day's pay," the conscientious 

'°"^CnrnTe^Mac," said the veteran. "Don't let that worry 
you. Sarged them ^xoo and can easily afford to give vou a 

q^uarter of it." 



40 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

In a case which came to him soon afterward McKinley won 
one of his most substantial earlier triumphs. He was pitted 
against John McS weeny, one of the most brilliant lawyers at the 
Ohio bar. It was a suit for damages for malpractice against a 
surgeon, who, it was claimed, had set a broken leg so unskilfully 
that the patient was made bow-legged. McSweeny brought his 
client into court, and after he had told his story he bared his leg 
to show how far it was out of line. 

McKinley, for the defense, demanded that the plaintiff bare 
the other leg for comparison. The court upheld this demand, in 
spite of McSweeny' s vigorous objection. To the confusion of the 
plaintiff and his counsel, and the merriment of court and jury, that 
leg was found to be the worse bowed of the two. His trousers had 
concealed his natural deformity. 

PARTNERSHIP WITH A LEADING LAWYER. 

" My client seems to have done better by this man than did 
nature itself," said Counsellor McKinley, " and I move that the 
suit be dismissed with recommendation that he have his right leg 
broken and set by the defendant in this case." The plaintiff was 
laughed out of court. Soon after this success Judge Belden, a 
leading lawyer of Canton, formed a partnership with the young 
attorney which lasted until the Judge's death, in 1870. 

He had already won his way so that the people in that year 
elected him Prosecuting Attorney of Stark County, which office 
he filled for several years. Practice now flowed in to him, and he 
speedily won repute as an excellent advocate. He is credited 
with making some of the best jury arguments ever heard at that 
bar. When elected to Congress he was a recognized leader of 
the Stark County bar and had one of the best general practices at 
that bar. 

Another case in which he especially distinguished himself was 
that of a number of miners prosecuted for riot, whom he defended in 
an appeal to the jury which is remembered to this day as a triumph 
of eloquence over hard fact. It was the first opportunity of his 
career to test his deep sympathy with wage-workers, and his use 




COFYR'S"- 

!RS W!LU!AM WsKtNUEV 




COPYRIGHT, BY CLINEBENtT, WASHINQTCN 

PRESIDENT Mckinley examining state papers 




THE WHITE HOUSE-WASHINGTON 




SENATOR M. A. HANNA 

CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEI 



EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 41 

of it gave liim a liold upon tlieir gratitude tliat time only 
strengthened. 

James G. Blaine, in his " Twenty Years of Congress," wrote : 
*' William McKinley, Jr., enteted from the Canton district. He 
enlisted in an Ohio regiment when only i8 years old, and won 
the rank of major by meritorious services. The interests of his 
constituents and his own bent of mind led him to the study of 
industrial questions, and he was soon recognized in the House as 
one of the most thorough statisticians, and one of the ablest 
defenders of the doctrine of protection." 

SYMPATHY WITH TOILERS. 

The Plumed Knight touched with his trenchant pen the very 
needle's eye of character which placed McKinley where he stood. 
Sympathy with the toilers brought him to the study of industrial 
questions, to which he gave the same thorough anah'sis and 
intense application that he gave to his law cases. In this respect 
he was like Garfield, having given like thorough study to political 
subjects. It is said that Rutherford B. Hayes took occasion once 
to advise McKinley, who seemed destined for public preferment, 
to confine his political studies as far as possible to some partic- 
ular subject, to master that so as to be recognized as its most 
learned expounder. "There is the tariff and protection," he is 
said to have advised. " It affords just the field for such endeavor 
as I have described. In the near future it is likely to become 
one of the leading issues upon which the voters of this nation will 
divide probably for many years." 

This conversation may have occurred, but the fact remains 
that the natural bent of McKinley's mind and the tendency to 
sympathize with the toilers had early turned his intellect toward 
that precise question. That was his theme when very early in 
his legal career he took the stump and discussed political ques- 
tions in his own and neighboring counties, to which his reputation 
as an attractive speaker earl}^ penetrated. 

Major McKinley was only 34 years old when, in 1S77, the 
people of the Canton district elected him to represent them m 



42 



EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 



Congress. Henry Clay and James G. Blaine are the most 
conspicuous statesmen who began Congressional careers at an 
early age. It was a Democratic House, and the new member 
began his service at the foot of the unimportant Law Revision 
Committee. His first term passed with no public speech of note 
to his credit, but Speaker Samuel J. Randall had noticed the 

studious application 
of the young Ohioan 
and his shrewdness 
in committee work. 
Hence, at the 
outset of his second 
term McKinley was 
placed on the Judici- 
ary Committee next 
to Thomas Brackett 
Reed. His ambition 
and mental prompt- 
ings led him to pre- 
fer the Ways and 
Means Committee, 
but he was disap- 
pointed at that time, 
HON. WILLIAM McKINLEY. However, early in' 

the session the bill of Fernando Wood gave him his chance, and 
he riddled that measure with a grasp of fact and merciless logic 
that marked him as one of the masters of protection knowledge. 
McKinley' s Congressional prominence may be said to have 
fairly begun with the retirement of Garfield from the Ways and 
Means Committee after his election to the Presidency in 1880. 
McKinley was appointed to the vacancy, and from then until he 
retired from Congress in 1891, after ten years of service that would 
have been continuous except for that portion of the Forty-eighth 
Congress when the Democrats unseated him, he remained upon 
that most important committee. His work was so strong and in- 
dsiv'e that the Democrats, fearing his abiliti :s, three times sought 




EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 4S 

Ilis second session debate on the tariff-revision bill to throw liim 
ont of Congress by gerrymandering his district. Twice placed 
in districts so fixed that the Democratic majority seemed assured, 
he nevertheless was elected by substantial majorities. 

In 1890 an international contest was brought into the narrow 
limits of his Congressional district. The order had gone forth 
from Democratic free-trade headquarters that the peerless cham- 
pion of protection must be beaten at any cost. So his district was 
patched up until it showed a nominal Democratic plurality of 
3,100 votes. Most men would have shirked such a contest and 
retired upon laurels already won. 

WENT BOLDLY INTO THE FIGHT. 

Not so McKinley. His Scotch-Irish blood was up, and he 
threw himself into the fight with an impetuosity that he had 
never before exhibited. He actually carried three of the four 
counties of his district, but was beaten by a slender plurality of 
302 votes. He had pulled down the Democratic majorit}^ 2800 
votes, and what his enemies sought to make his Waterloo proved 
to be a McKinley triumph and turned Republican thought in the 
country toward him as the leader of the greater struggle of 1896. 
It, however, closed his Congressional career. 

McKinley in Washington was a worker persistent, methodi- 
cal and indefatio-able. He was never found in the haunts of con- 
vivial men. That side of life which fascinates and has destroyed 
the usefulness of many brilliant men had no fascination for him. 
His work-day was spent in committee or in the House, and the 
business of the day over, he went straight to his home and his 
invalid wife. Tom Murray, who for years was manager of the 
House restaurant, says that for years he watched his daily 
coming for a bowl oif crackers and milk, which consumed, he 
returned to his work and wrought while his colleagues regaled 
upon terrapin and champagne. 

And yet the hard-working, non-convivial member from 
Canton was popular with his fellow-members on both sides of 
the House. He led a bare majority of twenty-two through all 



44 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

the perils of conflicting interests. He, too, found time to 
champion the Federal Elections bill, and to draw to its support 
many men from widely separated territory, and representing 
many diverse local interests. 

It was McKinley's Congressional record that made . him 
illustrious. Beginning at the foot of the ladder in committee 
appointment, he forged steadily to the front. Leadership was 
won, not conceded. It was his presentment of the great tarift* 
bill that crowded the House of Representatives on that ever- 
memorable May 7, 1890, when he reported it and opened a debate 
which has become historical. His contrast between protection 
and free trade, which closed that famous forensic utterance, 
paints at once a picture and a prophecy. 

INDEPENDENCE AND PROSPERITY. 

*' We have now," he said, " enjoyed twenty-nine years con- 
tinuously of protective tariff laws — the longest uninterrupted 
period in which that policy has prevailed since the formation of 
the Federal Government — and we find ourselves at the end of 
that period in a condition of independence and prosperity the 
like of which has no parallel in the recorded history of the world. 
In all that goes to make a nation great and strong and inde- 
pendent we have made extraordinary strides. We have a 
surplus revenue and a spotless credit. 

" To reverse this system means to stop the progress of this 
Republic. It means to turn the masses from ambition, courage 
and hope to dependence, degradation and despair. Talk about 
depression ! We would have it then in its fulness. Everything 
would indeed be cheap, but how costly when measured by the 
degradation that would ensue ! When merchandise is cheapest, 
men are poorest, and the most distressing experiences of our 
country — aye, of all history — have been when everything was 
lowest and cheapest, measured in gold, and everything was 
liighest and dearest, measured by labor." 

When Major McKinle}^, in 1890, lost his gerrymandered 
district by the narrow margin of 302 votes, there was no doubt 



EARLY LIJF. Or PRESIUhNT McKINl-KY. « 

in the minds of Ohio Republicans as to who should and must be 
their candidate for Governor. It was no consolation purse that 
he was to race for. It was simply and solely that the 
fortune of hostile legislative control had placed withm reach as 
candidate for the Chief Executive of the State a man of spotless 
honor, whose many services made him the most popular man m 
the Commonwealth. The room in the northwest corner of the 
State House in Columbus is brimful of history. 

A Secretary of the Treasury, a Chief Justice of the United 
States and a President sat there as the Chief Executive of the 
State before being called to higher preferment. Nearly every 
man who has occupied the chief chair therein has been or still is 
a vital force in the political or business history of the iiatiom 
No other State has ever contributed as many Governors to the 
National Executive in chair or council. 

A FAITHFUL PUBLIC OFFICER. 
Governor McKinley's career of four years in the Executive 
Chair of Ohio was exemplification of the fact that the most inter- 
esting period of a statesman's public service is not necessarily 
that in which he enjoys the greatest degree of public promiuence 
That office claimed, almost monopolized, his attention and local 
interests were never in the remotest degree subordinated to wider 
pc^itical necessities. But this lessened neither the number nor 
loyalty of his friends in all parts of the country. 

' His solicitude for the toilers was marked His sj-^paAy 
with the eight-hour movement was early manifested. He ^^ as 
o ispi. lou! champion of arbitration in the settlement of labo 
difficulties. These convictions appeared in his recommendations 
o"la ion to protect workingmen in hazardous occupations, to 
: curet m moie considerate treatment as well as more safe y in 
he pursuit of their avocations. It was upon his recommendation 
tSat the Ohio law was passed requiring that all street cars should 
be furnished with vestibules to protect the motorinen and con- 

"-'Zt^t^^^t::. arbitration-authorized but not 



46 EARLY LIFE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

compulsory which he regarded as the true solution of labor trou- 
bles—that his best work was done. During his first term the 
State Board of Arbitration was created upon the Massachusetts 
plan, but he made its workings the subject of his personal super- 
vision during all his administration. During the existence of the 
Board, twent3^-eight strikes, some of them involving 2000 men, 
were investigated, and in fifteen cases the Board found a common 
basis upon which both parties could agree. 

SENDS RELIEF TO MINERS IN DISTRESS. 

No account of Governor McKinley's connection with labor 
problems would be complete without mention of the tireless energy 
he displayed in securing relief for the 2000 miners of the Hocking 
Valley mining district, who, early in 1895, ^^ere reported out of 
work and destitute. The news reached him at midnight, but by 5 
A. Al., on his own responsibility, a car, loaded with provisions, 
worth $1000, was dispatched to the afflicted district. Appeals 
made subsequently to the Boards of Trade or Chambers of Com- 
merce of the great cities of the State increased this initial bene- 
faction to $32,796 worth of clothing and provisions. 

Governor McKin ley's two terms as the State's Executive 
were on the whole smooth and harmonious, but he w^as repeatedly 
called upon to solve perplexing problems in the relations of capital 
and labor. In 1894 the State Government received no fewer than 
fifteen calls for State troops to aid in enforcing the law. No such 
demand had been made since the Civil War, but Governor Mc- 
Kinle}^, obeying the dictates of his judgment, answered with such 
popular acceptation that even those labor organizations which are 
^most radical in opposing any action in labor troubles on the part 
of the State militia were forced to admit the wisdom of his course. 



CHAPTER 11 

A Man of Noble Ideals and Unselfish Aims— His Domestic 
Fidelity — A Governor of Rare Sagacity — His Suc- 
cessful Administration as President. 

NO eveuts in the history of President McKiuley commended 
him more to the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens 
than his honorable course in two national conventions of his 
party, when, had he shown a momentary departure in steadfast 
loyalt}^ in suppor: of the men he had been instructed to vote for, 
he might have himself been the nominee. Since 1876 he had 
borne a prominent part in Republican national conventions. He 
was a member of the Committee on Resolutions of the convention 
of 1880, when the man who led the Ohio delegation, pledged to 
the candidacy of Senator Johu Sherman, and who placed that 
veteran statesman in nomination in a speech that was one of the 
masterpieces of his public utterances, was himself made the 
nominee. This was James A. Garfield. 

Again, in 1884, he was the chosen member of the Committee 
on Resolutions w^ho drafted the party platform with such skill 
that a newspaper raised his name to its column head with the 
words, "Let the man who wrote the platform of '84 be our 
standard-bearer for 1888." 

Perhaps McKiuley himself realized in 1888 that he then 
hardly measured up to the standard of the tried and true vet- 
erans in the public service whose names were to go before that 
•convention. Certainly no one could have declared such fact 
nore unhesitatingly or earnestly than he did. It was an occa- 
sion never to be forgotten, and it demonstrated even then that 
Mr. McKinley was a Presidential possibility who could afford to 
bide i is time and need not crowd veterans in public favor out of 
a non:' Ination which for him could have no charm unless f^iirly 
won 

' he balloting for President had reached the fourth call when 

4/ 



48 A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 

a Connecticut delegate cast his vote for McKinley. As soon as 

the vote was announced McKinley rose in his seat and lifted his 

hand for recognition of the Chair. Before he could utter half 

dozen words a great shout, " McKinley " went up from all ovei 

the convention. Unshaken by this evidence of popular esteem, 

he said : 

MANLY SPEECH IN CONVENTION. 

'* Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention : I am 
here as one of the chosen representatives of my State ; I am here 
by resolution of its Republican convention, passed without one 
dissenting voice, commanding me to cast my vote for John 
Sherman and to use every worthy endeavor for his nomination. 
I accepted this trust because my heart and iudgment were in 
accord with the letter and spirit and purpose of that resolution. 
It has pleased. certain delegates to cast their votes for me. I am 
not insensible of the honor they would do me, but in the presence 
of the duty resting upon me, I cannot remain silent with honor ; 
I cannot consistently with the credit of the State whose creden- 
tials I bear, and which has trusted me ; I cannot with honorable 
fidelity to John Sherman, who has trusted me in his cause and 
with his confidence ; I cannot consistently with my own views of 
my persoiial integrity consent, or seem to consent, to permit my 
name to be used as a candidate before the convention. 

"I would not restrict myself if I could find it in my heart to 
do, but I cannot permit that to be done which could even be 
ground for any one to suspect that I wavered in my loyalty to 
Ohio or my devotion to the chief of her choice and the chief of 
mine. I do not request — I demana — that no delegates who 
would not cast reflection upon me shall cast a ballot for me" 

When McKinley, who spoke in tones whose earnestness and 
sincerity could not be doubted, concluded his speech his audience 
applauded him to the echo. It was so characteristic of the man 
that his name was not mentioned by any as a candidate. He had 
gained another popular victory. 

Four years later at Minneapolis McKinley again had oppor- 
tunity to show that he valued honor above even nomination to 



^ A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 49 

t"he liighest office in tlie Republic. He was the cTiairman of the 
couventiou. When Ohio was reached ou the first ballot for 
President the leader of the delegation announced its full vote for 
William McKinley. This was the signal for an outburst of 
applause from floor and galler3/',»as spontaneous as it was vocif- 
erous. Hurried consultations were held by many State dele- 
gations, and amid the cheers and applause which still continued 
one leader after another arose to the change of his State to 
McKinley. The Major, evidently deeply affected by the demon- 
stration, but firm and composed, rose in his place and said : — 
" I challenge the vote of Ohio.'* 

DETERMINED TO VOTE FOR HIM. 

" The gentleman is not a member of the delegation at pres- 
ent," said Governor Foraker, who was chairman of the Ohio rep- 
resentatives. 

" I am a delegate from that State," cried McKinley, in tones 
that could be heard above the confusion and uproar, " and I 
demand that my vote be counted." 

" Your alternate voted for you," Governor Foraker per- 
sisted. 

The vote of the delegation was polled nevertheless, and the 
solitary vote which was cast for Harrison, was Major McKinley's. 
Harrison was nominated, and Chairman McKinley, calling 
Colonel Elliott F. Shepard to the chair, moved to make the nomi- 
nation unanimous. 

"Your turn will come in '96," shouted one of the 182 dele 
gates, who, despite his protest, voted for him in that convention. 
This prophecy was fulfilled. 

• Two things commended Mr. McKinley mightly to the aver- 
age man— he could fight and he loved his wife. While these at 
first thought seem to be virtues common enough, yet he who has 
them has not far to go to make him a man complete. He also 
loved children with the pathetic love of the man whose name will 
live only in history, for the two children of his early married life 
died, and his wife was a confirmed invalid* 

4MCK 



60 A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 

It was early in lii's struggles witli tlie law in Canton that 
William McKinley met Ida Saxtou, a beauty, the daughter of the 
richest banker in the town, and a girl after his own heart. He 
has never got over the surprise and joy which filled his soul, 
when, having made up his mind to put his future happiness to 
touch, he asked Ida Saxton to be his wife and she said yes. It is 
said that her father confirmed this when along with his parental 
blessing he said : " You are the only man of all that have sought 
her that I would have given her to." 

It was in 1871, after he had won his first success at the bar 
' and had been successful as Prosecuting Attorney. They went to 
housekeeping in the same house to which he returned after his 
long service in Congress and his two terms as Governor. In that 
pleasant little villa his two children were born. One lived to be 
nearly four years old, while the other died in early infancy. 

LARGE HEART AND WARM NATURE. 

It was soon after the birth of the second daughter that tv^e 
fact became apparent that Mrs. McKinley would be a lifelong 
invalid. Much could be written of the tenderness of the strong 
and virile man to his invalid wife, but the idle gossip which has 
already been written upon that subject has hurt where it was 
thought to comfort. Newspapers have thoughtlessly dwelt upon 
this affliction, singing praises of his constancy and devotion when 
even kind words carried with them a penetrating sting. 

It is enough to say that this husband and wife have never 
Deen parted except during exigent work in campaigning. During 
his service as Congressman in Washington she was always with 
him, embroidering the slippers which constituted her principal 
employment in his absence until the number which solaced the 
sufferers -in hospitals is said to amount to nearly four thousand. 
From Congressional duty to his wife and back to duty was the 
round of his Washington life. 

While Governor of Ohio four rooms in the Chittenden House 
in Columbus were their home. An early breakfast and he was 
ofi to his executive du,ties„ It was remarked that he always left 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY, 61 

his hotel by a side entrance, and when well across the street he 
tnrned and lifted his hat, while a handkerchief fluttered for an 
instant from the window of his home. Then the Governor, witli 
a pleased smile, walked jauntily off toward the State House. This 
was repeated every evening, showing that loving watch was kept 
at that window. Occasionally, weather and health permitting, Mrs. 
McKinley indulged in a carriage ride, her husband always 
accompanying her. Always on Sunday the Governor took an 
early train for Canton, and going to his mother's house, accom- 
panied her to the First M. E. Church of which he was a member. 
He was superintendent of its Sunday-school until public "^ut^ 
took him to Washington. 

HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 

Major McKinley was five feet seven inches in height and ai", 
straight as Michael Angelo's statue of David. He undoubtedly 
looked like the great Napoleon, although he said more than once 
that he did not like to be reminded of the resemblance. He had 
the same grave, dignified mouth, the same high, broad and full 
forehead and the same heavy lower jaw. He was a better looking 
man than was Napoleon, and his bright, dark eyes shone out 
under brows which were less heavy than those of Bonaparte, and 
his frown was by no means so terrible as that of the Little Cor- 
poral. He appreciated, however, the value of dignit}^, always 
dressed in a double-breasted frock coat and crowned his classic head 
with a tall silk hat. 

Personally, Major McKinley was a charming man to meet. 
His presence was prepossessing, though in conversation he rarely 
developed brilliancy or ready wit. Dignity and repose, rather 
than force and action, appeared as his strong characteristics to 
the man who met him casually. Yet his campaigns showed that 
when time for action came he could go through labor that wears 
out a corps of experienced reporters, and come out of the immense 
strain of six weeks' constant canvass with little loss of flesh and 
com.paratively few signs of fatigue. The Gubemational char 
paign of 1893 "^^^ notable in this respect 



52 A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 

Witli tlie chances favoring him and business depression pre- 
vailing, many a man would have trusted something to luck and 
worked less persistently and energetically than under other 
circumstances. But that was not McKinley's way. He 
realized that his boom for the Presidency depended very largely 
upon the size of his majority, and worked like a Trojan. Those 
who followed him in the famous Congressional campaign of 1890 
against John G. Warwick, and again in 1891, when he canvassed 
the State against Campbell with such signal success, and were a 
third time with him in 1893 say that he worked as never before. 

In the speeches he made one notable characteristic was 
always prominent. He did not make enemies. No one ever 
heard McKinley abuse a political opponent from the stump. 
Few men have ever heard him speak with disrespect or malignity 
of one in private life. Only among his close confidants, and they 
were carefully chosen and not numerous, did he allow himself 
to speak his mind fully. 

ELECTED AND INAUGURATED. 

After a very exciting campaign in 1896, Mr. McKinley was 
elected President, and was inaugurated with most imposing cere- 
monies in March, 1897. His administration was characterized by 
wise and successful statesmanship, and as the period for a new 
election drew near it became evident that he would be again the 
unanimous choice of his party to be their standard-bearer in the 
campaign of 1900. 

An extraordinary session of Congress was called by President 
McKinley two days after he took the" oath of office on the steps of 
the Capitol. It met in pursuance to his proclamation at noon on 
March 15. The special message transmitted by him to both 
Houses on the opening day was -brief. It explained the deficien- 
cies in the revenues, reviewed the bond issues of the last adminis^ 
tration, and urged Congress promptly to correct the then existing 
condition by passing a tariff bill that would supply ample revenues 
for the support of the Government and the liquidation of the 
public debt 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRrrV. 58 

No other subject of legislation was mentioned in the message, 
and the tariff bill was the all-absorbing feature of the session. 
The Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee 
of the preceding House had been at work throughout the short 
session, which ended March 4, giving hearings and preparing the 
bill which was to be submitted at the extra session. 

'Three days after the session opened the Tariff bill was 
reported to the House by the Ways and Means Committee, and 
thirteen days later, March 31, 1897, it passed the House. It 
went to the Senate, was referred to the Committee on Finance, 
and the Republican members of that committee spent a month 
and three daj^s in its consideration and in preparing the amend- 
ments, which were submitted to the Senate May 4. Its consider- 
ation was begun in the Senate May 7, and exactly two months 
later, July 7, it passed the Senate with 872 amendments 

TARIFF BILL PROMPTLY SIGNED, 

The bill then went to conference, where, after a ten days' 
struggle, on July 17, a complete agreement was reached by 
which the Senate receded from 118 amendments and the House 
from 511. The others, 243 in number, were compromised. The 
conference report was adopted by the House July 19, at the 
conclusion of twelve hours of continuous debate. The report 
was taken up in the Senate July 20, and adopted Saturday, 
July 24. The Tariff bill was signed by the President the 

same day- 

In August President McKinley promulgated amendments 
to the civil service rules which elicited enthusiastic praise from 
civil service reformers. The order considered of most importance 
provided *' that no removal shall be made from any position subject 
to competitive examination except for just cause and upon 
written charges filed with the head of the department or other 
appointing of&cer, and of which the accused shall have full 
notice and an opportunity to make defense." 

Through the Hon. Stewart L. Woodford, American Minister 
to Spain, our CabiueL at Washington addressed a note in 



^ A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGKITT, 

September to the Spanish government concerning the war in Cuba, 
urging that the most strenuous efforts be made to bring it to an 
end, and offering mediation between the contending parties. 
Spain's reply, which was received in November, was considered 
satisfactory and not likely to lead to any rupture between the 
two countries. 

In February, 1898, an incident occurred which created 
universal comment. A letter was written by the Spanish 
Minister at Washington, Senor De Lome, reflecting seriously 
upon President McKinley, in connection with the policy our 
administration was pursuing toward the government of Spain 
with regard to the insurrection in Cuba. This letter was written 
t)y De Lome to a friend, but failed in some way to reach its 
destination, and was made public. Public indignation was 
expressed at this perfidy of the Spanish Minister, and he was 
compelled to resign. 

INSURRECTION IN CUBA. 

The struggle in Cuba for independence continued to be the 
one absorbing topic that occupied the attention of Congress. 
General Weyler ordered all the inhabitants of Cuba who^were 
suspected of sympathizing with the insurgents into the town, 
where they were left to obtain the necessaries of life as best they 
could. This act, which was pronounced inhuman by the Ameri^ 
can people, resulted in the death of tens of thousands of men, 
women and children by starvation. Meanwhile, accurate reports 
of the appalling situation in Cuba were brought by several mem- 
bers of Congress who visited the island with a view to ascertain- 
ing the exact facts. 

These reports so inflamed the Senate and House of Repre-^ 
sentatives that a number of resolutions were introduced demand, 
iug that belligerent rights should be granted to the Cubans, and 
further that the United States should intervene with force of arms 
to end the war in Cuba, and secure the independence of the island. 
These resolutions, v/hich were referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations^ were indicative of the temper of Congre-ss, 



A MAN OF HONOR AND iMTEGRHX 6ft 

A profound sensation was created by the destruction of tlie 
United States battleship " Maine " in the harbor of Havana. The 
" Maine" was lying in the harbor, having been sent to Cuba on a 
friendly visit. On the evening of February 15, a terrific explosion 
took place on board the ship, by which 266 sailors and officers lost 
their lives and the vessel was wrecked. The cause of the expU)- 
sion was not apparent. The wounded sailors of the " Maine" were 
unable to explain it. The explosion shook the whole city 
of Havana, and the windows were broken in many of the houses. 
The wounded sailors stated that the explosion took place while 
they were asleep, so that they could give no particulars as to the 
cause. 

The Government at Washington and the whole country were 
horrified at the destruction of one of our largest cruisers and the 
loss of so many of our brave sailors- The excitement throughout 
the country was intense. The chief interest in the " Maine " dis- 
aster now centered upon the cause of the explosion that so quickly 
sent her to the bottom of Havana habor. 

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. 

A Naval Board of Inquiry went to Havana and proceeded 
promptly to investigate the causes of the explosion that destroyed 
the battleship. 

Upon receiving the report of the Board of Inquiry, President 
McKinley transmitted it to Congress, and with it a message which 
he closed as follows : 

" In view of these facts and of these considerations I ask the 
Congress to authorize and empower the President to take measures 
to secure a full and final termination of the hostilities between 
the Government of Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure in 
the island the establishment of a stable government capable of 
maintaining order and observing its international obligations, en- 
suring peace and tranquillity and the security of its citizens as 
well as our own, and to use the military and navalvforces of the 
United States as may be necessary for these purposes."- 

<^ And in the interest o£ hiamanity and to aid in pre-servmg 



56 A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 

the lives of tlie starving people of that island, I recommend 
tliat the distribution of food and supplies be continued, and that 
an appropriation be made out of the public treasury to supplement 
the charity of our citizens. 

" The issue is now with Congress. It is a solemn responsi- 
bility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve the intolerable 
condition of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared to execute 
every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitution and the 
law, I await your action." 

Congress debated a week over the recommendations con- 
tained in the President's message, and on April i8, both Houses 
united in passing a series of resolutions calling for the interven- 
tion of the United States to compel Spain to withdraw her forces 
from Cuba, and thus permit the authorities at Washington to 
provide the island with a free and independent government. The 
demand contained in the resolution was sent to the SpanisI 
Minister at Washington on April 20, who at once called for his 
passports and left for Canada. 

AMERICAN MINISTER LEAVES MADRID, 

On the same date the ultimatum of our Government was 
sent to United States Minister Woodford, at Madrid, who was 
curtly handed his passports before he had an opportunity of for- 
mally presenting the document. These transactions involved a 
virtual declaration of war, although Congress did not formally 
declare that war actually existed until April 25, dating the time 
back to the 21st. 

The North Atlantic Squadron was immediately ordered to 
blockade the Cuban ports, and on April 22 proceeded to carry out 
the order. On the same date the United States gunboat " Nash- 
ville" captured the Spanish merchantman " Buena Ventura" ii^ 
ihe Gulf of Mexico. In this capture the first gun of the war was 
fired. The next day President McKinle}^ promulgated a resolution 
calling for 125,000 volunteers. On the same day, Morro Castle, 
commanding the harbor of Havana, fired on the United States 
fi^gship ** New York " but without doing any damage. Subse- 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. fiV 

quent events comprised the capture of a number of Spanish 
vessels by Admiral Sampson's squadron. 

Stirring news from our Asiatic fleet was soon received. On 
May I, Admiral Dewey practically destroyed the Spanish squad- 
ron in the harbor of Manila, Philippine Islands, capturing nine 
vessels and inflicting a loss of 400 killed and 600 v/ounded. The 
capture of the Spanish fleet at Santiago, on July 3, and the vic- 
tories of the American army in Cuba, resulting in the surrender 
of all the Spanish troops in the province of Santiago, prepared 
the way for Mr McKinley to sign a peace protocol in August and 
a treaty of peace with Spain in December. 

With a firm hand he conducted the dif&cult and delicate 
diplomacy and pushed on the war that freed Cuba, brought the 
Philippine Islands under the authority and government of the 
United States, and restored peace to the combatants. 

WAR COULD NOT BE AVERTED. 

As to his policy in view of the necessary legislation for our 
new possessions, and his purpose to govern them in such a way as 
to advance their welfare and to secure for them the largest liberty^ 
he declared in an eloquent speech before the Ohio Society in New 
York that every obligation of our Government would be fulfilled 

*' After thirty-three years," he said, " of unbroken peace came 
an unavoidable war. Happily, the conclusion was quickly 
reached, without a suspicion of unworthy motive or practice or 
purpose on our part, and with fadeless honor to our arms. I can- 
not forget the quick response of the people to the country's need 
and the quarter of a million men who freely offered their lives to 
their country's service. It was aniimpressive spectacle of national 
strength. It demonstrated our mighty reserve power and taught 
us that large standing armies are unnecessary when every citizen 
is a ' minute man' ready to join the ranks for national defence. 

"Out of these recent events have come to the United 

'States grave trials and responsibilities. As it was the nation's 

war, so are its results the nation's problems. Its solution rests 

upon us all. It is too serious to stifle. It is too earnest for 



m A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITf, 

repose. No pbrase or catcliword can conceal the sacred obligation 
it involves. No use of epithets, no aspersion of motive by those 
who differ will contribute to that sober judgment so essential to 
right conclusions. 

"No political outcrj^ can abrogate our treaty of peace with 
Spain or absolve us from its solemn engagements. It is the 
people's question and its determination is written out in their 
enlightened verdict. We must choose between manly doing and 
base desertion. It will never be the latter. It must be soberly 
settled in justice and good conscience, and it will be. Righteous- 
ness which exalteth a nation must control in its solution. 

DECLARATION AGAINST IMPERIALISM. 

"There can be no imperialism. Those who fear it are 
against it. Those who have faith in the Republic are against it. 
So that there is universal abhorrence for it and unanimous oppo- 
sition to it. Our only difference is that those who do not agree 
with us have no confidence in the virtue or capacity or high pur- 
pose or good faith of this free people as a civilizing agency, 
while we believe that the century of free goverment which the 
American people have enjoyed has not rendered them irresolute 
and faithless, but has fitted them for the great task of lifting up 
and assisting to better condition and larger liberty those distant 
people who have, through the issue of battle, become our wards, 

" Let us fear not. There is no occasion for faint hearts, no 
excuse for regrets. Nations do not grow in strength and 
the cause of liberty and law by the doing of easy things. 
The harder the task the greater will be the result, the benefit and 
the honoi'. To doubt our power to accomplish it is to lose faith 
in the soundness and strength of our popular institutions. The 
liberators will never become the oppressors. A self-governed 
people will never permit despotism in any government whicli they 
foster and defend. 

" Gentlemen, we have the new care and cannot shift it. And, 
breaking up the camp of ease and isolation, let us bravely and 
hopefully and soberly continue the march of faithful semce at»,d 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGKlT^. -:-, 

falter not until the work is done. It is not possible that seventy- 
five millions of American freemen are unable to establish liberty 
and justice and good government in our new possessions. The 
burden is our opportunit}^ The opportunity is greater than the 
burden. May God give us strength to bear the one and wisdom 
so as to embrace the other as to carry to our distant acquisi- 
tions the guarantees of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 
Beyond the administration of affairs connected with our war 
with Spain and the Filipino insurgents, and the appointment 
of officials to govern Hawaii, Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip- 
pines, the chief measure of public importance during Mr. 
McKinley's administration was the enactment, at his recom- 
mendation, of the new currency law, whereby the gold standard 
has been established and our currency laws are made to cor- 
respond with those of the most enlightened nations of the earth. 

DECISIVE DEMAND FROM TURKEY. 

A claim was made against Turkey by our Government for 
damages inflicted upon Americans during the massacres in 
Armenia. This claim amounted to $90,000, and the Turkish 
government, with its customary dilatory tactics, evaded the 
payment of it. It was Mr, McKinley's determined purpose to 
collect the amount due for Turkish depredations. Accordingly 
he made a demand for payment. A month passed and no notice 
was taken of the communication from our State Department. 
On the 23d of May, 1900, Mr. McKinley authorized another 
demand to be made upon Turkey, and in terms implying that 
the next communication would be an ultimatum conveyed b}'^ a 
battleship. The whole amount was afterward collected. 

These public acts indicate the heroic qualities Mr. McKinley 
exhibited during his administration. With a high purpose to 
serve his country, with consummate tact and wisdom in conduct- 
ing public affairs, with exalted patriotism and a noble resoJve to 
promote the welfare of the people in all parts of our broad land, 
he discharged the responsible duties of his high office to th& 
entire satisfaction of his party= 



ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE GENEALOGY OF 
THE McKINLEY FAMILY. 

The following genealogical sketch of President McKinley, 
was prepared by the Rev. A Stapleton, of Carlisle, Pa. 

" It should be a matter of regret to all true historians that 
the campaign histories of President McKinley were erroneous 
in several important genealogical details. The data herein given 
may be relied on as correct, as they are the result of researches 
in the court records and other authorities still extant. 

''The ancestors of President McKinley belonged to that 
sturdy race of people called the Scotch-Irish, so called because in 
1607 King James I. located a large number of Scots in the north- 
ern part of Ireland on lands from which the Irish had been 
evicted. These settlements were gradually augmented by immi- 
gration until eventually the Scotch-Irish element predominated 
in this region. They were stanch Presbyterians in faith and in 
course of time developed traits and peculiarities so marked as to 
almost stamp them as a distinct race. 

SUFFERED MANY HARDSHIPS. 

In course of time this noble people were overtaken by many 
hardships, such as the successive failure of crops, besides very 
unsatisfactory civil and religious conditions. Their only source 
of relief was in immigration to America, in which they were 
encouraged by agents of the American colonies. After 17 15 the 
immigration became very extensive, the chief port of arrival 
being New Castle, on the Delaware, below Philadelphia. 

The Scotch-Irish being citizens of the- British realm their 
arrival is not a matter of record like that of the Germans, Swiss, 
Dutch, etc., who are designated as foreigners in the Colonial 
records, and were required to subscribe to an oath of allegiance 
upon arrival, besides a subsequent naturalization. Hence it 
follows that citizens of the realm are more difBcult to identify 
than foreigners by the historian. Our only recourse is in tax lists, 
land warrants, court records, etc. 

'' In the case of President McKinley we have an undisputed 
record to his great-grandfather. David McKinley, We know that 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTECRll-Y. 



CI 



lie was a Revolutionary soldier, tliat lie Avas born in York county, 
Pa. that lie removed to Westmoreland county after the Revolu- 
tion, and in 1814 to Ohio, where he died. In the cemetery of the 
Chatfield Lutheran Church in Crawford county, Ohio, may be 
seen two modest granite markers with the following inscriptions : 
'David McKinley, Revolutionary soldier. Born, 1755 ; died, 1840, 
and Hannah C. Rose, born 1757 ; died 1840.' 

''David McKinley was the father of James, born September 
10 1783 married Mary Rose, of Mercer county, Pa., and removed 
thence to Chatfield, where he purchased a farm, on which he died. 
He was the father of William McKinley, Sr., born in 1807, and 
died in Canton, O., in 1892. The latter was the father of Presi- 
dent McKinley. Hannah C. Rose, buried by the side of David 
McKinley, was the great-grandmother of the President She was 
also the great-grandmother of former Mayor Rose, of Cleveland. 

RECORDS AT LANCASTER AND YORK. 

"For the history of the family prior to David, the soldier, 
we must rely on the courthouse records at Lancaster, and York, 
Pa From various documents and entries we think the evidence 
incontrovertible that David McKinley, the head of the clan 
McKinley in America, landed at New Castle, and located in (now 
Chanceford township, York county, Pa., m i743; A^^th^ nne 
he was well along in life. He was accompanied by his uile, 
Esther and three^sons, John, David, Stephen, and a daughter, 
Mary There are frequent references to these sons m the county 

'"'' '' ?he immigrant was a weaver by trade, but like all thrifty 
artisans of that day, he secured a good homestead. It is possible, 
bu no probable, that he arrived in the province earlier than 
il but 'n this ^ear his name first appears on the records m a 
ZtTfor^.e acres of land on a beautiful elevation overlooking 
the Susquehanna river in the distance. ^ 

" That he was a man of enterprise ^s shown in ^^^^^^^^^ 
in 1749 l^e circulated a petition for a public ^^^"^^J^^;^;^^^^^^ 
also presented to court.. The following year he was made .uper 



62 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY. 



Visor, and doubtless Bad the task imposed on himself to en,ginee-z 
his road to completion. His name occurs frequently in the most 
honorable way, showing him to have been a man of unusual 
probity and worth as a citizen. 

*' David McKinley, the immigrant, died intestate in 1757 
leaving his wife and children as already named His daughter 
was intermarried with Samuel Gordon. The settlement of the 
estate shows personal property to the value of of /220, or$i 100 
besides the plantation, which was divided, Later,^ however' the 
son John (who, with his mother, was the executor) purchased the 
entire estate. 

SECOND GENERATION COMES INTO VIEW. 

^ '' This leads us to the consideration of the second q-eneration 
VIZ., John McKinley, eldest son of the immigrant. Before enter- 
ing upon details we here throw out the precautionary statement 
that the names McKinley and McGinley are both contemporane- 
ous and interchangeable in our early records, owing to the care- 
lessness of scribes. They were, however, separate families in 
\ ork county. The McGinleys proper came from James McGin- 
ley, who died m York county in 1755, leaving an only son, John. 
No relationship is known to have existed between the families 
although remotely it might have been the case„ The President's 
ancestors, so far as we have ascertained, always wrote their name 
as now. 

;' Resumiug our narrative of the McKinleys, John, son of the 
immigrant, was born about 172S, and in his day was one of the 
foremost men of York county. He became a large land owner and 
, trequently figures in important business transactions. When 
hostilities broke out with the mother country he stanchly sup- 
ported the Revolution and was made wagon master for Chanceford 
township by the Committee of Safety. He died on his estates 
February 18, 1779, being survived by his widow, Margaret, an 
only son David great-grandfather of the President, and daughters 

l!'''. ^f °' ^'^''-''^^^^ '»"<^ Susan. The widow subsequently 
ffl*rr<..«. Tl3<jw^.s McCullock She died in the winter of 1781 



A MAN OF HONOR AND INTEGRITY, <| 

" This leads its down to David McKinley, grandson of tlie 
immigrant and great-grandfatlier of the President. He was horn 
on the old homestead in Chanceford township, May i6, 1755. In 
1776 he enlisted in Captain Reed's Company of Ferrymen in the 
war of the Revolution. This was the the Seventh Company of 
the Eighth Battalion of York county militia. The militiamen, it 
should be remembered, were called out in emergencies and were 
drafted in sections for active service making what were then 
called tours of service. In this way nearly all the militia of Penn- 
sylvania saw many tours of service, much hard fightinp^ and the 
most peliious kind of military life. 

,^, "The local historians of York County had beex>. in corre- 
spondence with the President respecting his York County antece- 
dents. He had expressed himself as much gratified by their 
researches and interest in his ancestry, and faithfully promised, 
at an opportune time, to visit the scenes of his ancestral abode. 
Several dates for the proposed visit were partly agreed upon, and 
great preparations for the visit were in prospect when the 
critical events preceding the outbreak of the Spanish War com- 
pelled successive postponements of the visit. 

" As a matter of interest we may add that a muster roll of the 
company of which his great-grandfather was a member, and ever 
since the Revolution in the possession of the descendants of 
Colonel John Hay, was some years ago presented to the President 
and received by him with many expressions of delight and 
satisfaction.'^ 



CHAPTER ni. 

Career of President McKinley—Raised to Rank of Captain 
and Brevet- Major in the Army — Romance of Early Life 
— Conspicuous Acts of Legislation During His Adminis- 
tration as President. 

A SSOCIATBD with tlie glorious names and memories of Wasli- 
^~^ ington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Lincoln and 
Grant as a man twice ckosen in succession by tke people to be tbe 
Ckief Magistrate of the nation, at one of tbe great epoclis in its 
history, the American who died at Buffialo September, 14, bad not 
yet completed tbe even threescore years of life, though in the fifty- 
eight years allotedto him in private life and in public place, he had 
run the whole gamut of human experience, nobly acquitting himself 
in each stage in a way that gave visible embodiment to American 
ideals and splendid traditions of things accomplished in all that 
he set his hands to do. 

As a studious boy and gallant soldier ; then in private life an 
able lawyer skilled in his profession ; a public man whose re-elec- 
tion seven times in succession to Congress represented the confi- 
dence and unerring belief of his own neighbors ; as Governor 
and then as President, the broad patriotic statesman whose policies 
commanded regard at home and respect abroad, the boy born at 
Niles, O., on January 29, 1843, represented in his struggles and 
successes the typical American in a Republic which is opportunity 
for the humblest. 

No President came of better stock, and it was to the sturdi- 
ness of frame and mind, and not to the mere accidents of birth or 
position, that made William McKinley a marked figure, whether 
as a boy of eighteen, serving the Union on the field of battle or as 
a President at fifty -three, planning policies that made it a nation 
high iu the world's councils. The ancestors of the latest 
President of the United States were Covenanters in Scotland 
Jacobites iu Ireland; Revolutionary heroes in America — men who 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 



r,i 



fought and prayed aud loved freedom ; men on whose grave, stead- 
fast natures the world's opposition wrought about the same iui- 
pression as does the wave on the rock. On his mother's side, 
Mr. McKinley was descended from a race which has contributed 
moral and mental fiber to the American race equally with the 
Scotch-Irish — the Teutonic. 

The first McKinley in the nev/ world settled near York, Pa., 
and David McKinley, the President's great-grandfather, was one 
of those who sprang to arms at the summons of '76. He was 
among the first "expansionists" of this country — moving his 
family, like so many other R'^volutionary veterans after peace 
with England had been declared, to the then "continuous wilds" 
of Ohio, and there helping to found a State. 

STRUGGLE TO GAIN AN EDUCATION. 

The patriot's grandson, William McKinley, Sr., was one of 
the pioneers in the iron industry at Niles, O., which he estab- 
lished at Fairfield, O., in 1827, when he was twenty years old, and 
the husband of Nancy Campbell Allison, then a young w^oman of 
eighteen. When the elder McKinleys m.oved to Niles it cannot 
be said that the ironmaster's home represented anj^thing more 
than the frugal, thrifty households of the neighboring farmers. 
The iron industry in the '30s in rural Ohio had none of the 
return for labor or capital that are common to-day. 

So the early years of the twentieth President of the United 
.States,if not spent exactly in poverty, at least represented that strug- 
gle to gain an education and position and home comforts that made 
the American character and the American spirit one of ceaseless 
endeavor and unresting ambitions. The seventh son in a family 
of nine as a small child had, therefore, none of the surroundings 
that are supposed to weaken one for the conflicts of life. On the 
contrary, from the very first there was everything to inure one to 
hardship aud to suggest with peculiar force the American idea 
that every one had his future in his own hands, in his own efforts. 

As was natural in the Western Reserve, the elder IMcKinleys 
had the pioneers' passion for education, and by the time William 

5 AIcK 



66 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

Had gone for a few years to the public sdiool at Niles liis parents 
decided to remove to Poland, in Mahoning County, where the 
educational opportunities were better. In leaving Niles the 
McKinleys departed a locality famous as the birthplace of celeb- 
rities. Less than one hundred miles away, at Lancaster, the 
two Shermans, soldier and Senator, were born and raised ; thirty 
miles away, at Cuyahoga, President Garfield, the second rnartyr, 
first saw the light ; in Delaware, not far distant, was born another 
President, Rutherford B. Hayes. 

Poland was a New England town in every sense but a geo- 
graphical one. The New England spirit of discussion, of ambi- 
tion, of religious fervor and intense political feeling, actuated the 
democratic little colony, whose richest man could not draw his 
check for $10,000. No doubt, this plunge into an atmosphere 
of pugnacious denominationalism, bitter pro- and anti-slavery 
debate, temperance agitation and discussion of the new startling 
doctrine of woman's rights — inculcated by Lucretia Mott through 
the strong Quaker element in the town — was a strong factor in 
young McKinley's development. He joined in everything but 
play, for which he evinced indifference wlien a book was to be had. 
He joined, at the age of sixteen, the Methodist Church, of which 
he always remained a staunch member. 

OWED MUCH TO HIS MOTHER. 

Though he did not follow her specific leanings in the matter 
of sect, it was from his mother that he absorbed his religious 
inspirations, and he was nearer to her in traits and character than 
to his father. He resembled her strongly in face, in manner and 
in many mental peculiarities. She was an Allison, of Scotch 
Covenanter stock. There were Allisons among the victims of 
Claverhouse's dragoons, and there were other Allisons who, after 
long imprisonment for conscience sake, left their homes in the 
Lowlands and sought religious freedom in the American colonies. 

Nancy Allison had the characteristics of her race, and her 
life in Ohio developed her natural gifts of management, thrift 
and earnestness. She was profoundly religious, and at the same 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. « 

time intensely practical. She imparted the stamp of her vigorous 
character to all her offspring. There was no black sheep in her 
flock. The children grew up to be serious, competent, indepen- 
dent men and women, and the President was but typical of the 

stock. 

EARNEST AND SUCCESSFUL STUDENT. 

His early education was received at the Poland Academy, 
where the children of the well-to-do, although this meant very 
little in those days, were sent. It was meagre enough, and to 
keep him there was not accomplished without sacrifice on his 
part as well as the family's. However, by studying and teaching 
otherp as well as himself, and having the bar in view, he was 
able, in i860, to enter the junior class at Allegheny College, at 
Meadville, Pa., at seventeen, having earned his matriculation 
fees by teaching in neighboring village schools. Here he 
plunged into study with such stern earnestness that his health 
broke down before he had completed his first year's course. 
Returning, he found the family in financial straits, owing to 
his father's failure in business. So far from finishing his educa- 
tion, it became his duty to help provide for the family, and 
he manfully undertook it, accepting a position as teacher at $25 
a month, and later became a clerk in the Poland post office, his 
first slight touch with the Federal Government to whose defense 
he was to fly next year and in whose broader service he was to 
lead a nation of 76,000,000 a generation later. 

In his study years McKinley was very fond of mathematics, 
but for Latin he cared little, although he always passed his 
examinations creditably. In the colleges and academies at that 
time mathematics, grammar and the dead languages constituted 
pretty much the whole stock of instruction. He showed no fond- 
ness for the debates of the literary societies or the orations of the 
regular Saturday school exercises, but he was known as a good 
essay writer and was a forceful reasoner rather than a mere 
rhetorician. But he was not destined to remain the village school- 
master long, for the "irrepressible conflict" soon became a fact 
and on June 11, 1861, William McKinley became a private in 



fiS CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

Company E, of the Twenty-tiiird Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 
Twenty-third Ohio was mustered into service by General Fremont 
in June, 1861. William S. Rosecrans was its first colonel and the 
future President Hayes its first major, and Stanley Matthews, 
afterward United States Senator and Justice of the vSupreme Court, 
its first lieutenant-colonel. 

With the Twenty-third Ohio young McKinley saw some of 
the hardest fighting of the Civil War, and gained a distinguished 
record with which every one is familiar. Under McClellan he 
served in the Kanawha campaign, to which West Virginia owes 
its existence as a separate State. His first commission, that of 
lieutenant, came to him after the battle of Antietam, during 
which, in his character of commissary, he imposed on himself the 
task, which to a more self-seeking nature would have been dis- 
tasteful, of cooking rations for the more fortunate comrades who 
were fighting at the front, but it is a matter of record that young 
McKinley did not stay in the rear, but served his fellows with 
coffee and rations on the firing line itself 

ON STAFF OF GENERAL HAYES. 

This seemed to him so simple and natural a thing to do, it 
was but his duty, that he was much surprised to receive a com- 
mission a fev/ days later, on a recommendation signed by General 
Hayes, who spoke in the highest esteem of him and made him a 
member of his staff, a first lieutenancy coming a few months 
later, on February 7, 1863, while his captaincy was won on July 
^5, 1864, for gallantry at the battle of Kernstown, near Win- 
chester, Va. 

His career kept on being onward and upward. He served on 
the staffs of General George Cook and General Winsfield S. Han- 
cock, voted for Lincoln in the field, and, in 1865, was assigned as 
Acting Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of General Samuel 
S. Carroll, commanding the veteran reserve corps at Washington, 
and it was while he was in Washington that he was commissioned 
by President Lincoln as Major by brevet in the Volunteer United 
States Army "for gallant and meritorious services at the battles 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. (,i 

of Opequan, Cedar Creek and Fisher' s Hill." At Cedar Creek, 
General Sheridan, on his way to Winchester had noticed him, a 
boy of 21 rallying the demoralized troops with the intrepidity 
of a seasoned soldier and the authority of a man. He remained with 
the regiment until it was mustered out, and some idea of his grit 
and constitution is given when it is known that during all his 
four years' service he had never been absent once from his com- 
mand on sick leave. 

Some idea of the impression the future President made on 
his associates during his military career is given in the words of 
President Hayes, who, on one occasion, in talking of McKinley's 
splendid characteristics, said : 

TRIBUTE FROM PRESIDENT HAYES. 

*' When I first made his acquaintance he was a boy just past 
the age of eighteen. He, with me, entered ou a new, strange 
life, a soldier's life in the time of actual war. It was soon found 
that he had unusual character for the business of war. Young as 
he was, we soon found him, in executive ability, a man of unusual 
and unsurpassed capacity. Wt-n battles were fought or service 
was to be performed in warlik- ^h.ngr he always took his place. 
The night was never too dark, the weather never too cold for 
prompt and efficient performance of his duty. When I became 
commander of the regiment he soon came to me on my staff, and I 
learned to know him like a book Pnd love him like a brother. He 
naturally progressed, for his talent and capacity could not be 

unknown. , . - 

"The bloodiest day of the war, the day ou which more men 
were killed and woirnded than on any other day of the war was 
the seventeenth of September, 1862, in the battle of Antietam. 
That battle began at daylight. Without breakfast, --f'^'^^f^ 
the men went into the fight and continued tmtd after tl^e sun w^nt 
down. Early in the afternoon they were ^^^''^'\^f'^-^''^^ 
The commissary department of the brigade was "ff^-^ Sergeant 
McKinley's administration and a better choice could not have been 
^ade, for when the issue came he performed a notable deed oi 



70 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

daring at tlie crisis of tlie battle, when it was uncertain wlhicli way 
victory would turn. For fitting up two wagons witli necessary 
supplies lie drove them through a storm of shells and bullets to 
the assistance of his hungry and thirsty fellow soldiers, 

" The mules of one wagon were disabled, but McKinley 
drove the other safely through and was received .vith hearty 
cheers, and from his hands every man in the regiment was served 
with hot coffee and warm meats, a thing that had never occurred 
under similar circumstances in any other army in the world. 
He passed under the fire and delivered with his own hands those 
things so essential for the men for whom he was laboring." 

PROMPT TO ACT IN EMERGENCIES. 

When, in later years, Major McKinley's qualities as a 
manager of important undertakings were called into question 
by somebody, the reply was made by one familiar with his 
record: "A man, who, before he had attained the age of twentj^- 
one, kept up the supplies of the arm}^ for General Crook in active 
service in the field is not lacking in business ability." That 
his action in an emergency and under great rtress of circum- 
stances is prompt and wise is shown by an incident occurring 
during Sheridan's great battle at Opequan, when Captain Mc- 
Kinley, an aid-de-camp on the staff of General Sheridan, brought 
a verbal order to General Duval, commanding the second division, 
to move his command quickly to a position on the right of the 
Sixth Corps, the First Division having previously been ordered 
to that position. 

General Duval, on receiving the order, asked: "By what 
route shall I move my command ? " 

Captain McKinley, knowing no more about the countr}^ than 
did General Duval, and without definite orders, replied : "I would 
move up this creek." 

General Duval replied : "I will not budge without definite 
orders." 

In reply Captain McKinley said : " This is a time of great 
emergency, general. I order you, by command of General 



1 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 71 

Crook, to mcve your command up this ravine to a position on 
the right o^ the army." 

General Duval obeyed and moved on the route indicated by 
the young aid-de-camp, attained the position, charged the enemy 
and drove them in confusion from their works, as the result of the 
responsibility taken by Captain McKinley in this critical moment. 

Of his personal courage in battle, a historian writing of the 
tattle of Kernstown, near Winchester, of July 24, 1864, says: 
" When it became necessary to fall back, it was discovered that 
one of the regiments was still at the point where it was posted at 
the beginning of the battle. General Hayes, turning to Lieutenant 
McKinley, directed him to go and bring away this regiment if it 
had nut already fallen back. McKinley turned his horse, and, 
keenly spurring it, pushed at a forced gallop obliquely toward the 
advancing enemy. A sad look came over General Hayes's face, as 
he saw this gallant youth push rapidly fonvard to almost cer- 
tain death. None of us expected to see him again as we watched 
him push his horse through the open fields, over fences, over 
ditches, while a well-directed fire from the enemy was pounng 
upon him, with shells exploding around, about and over him. 

MASTERLY COURAGE IN DANGER.- 

'^Once he was completely enveloped in the smoke of an 
exploding shell, and we thought he had gone down, but out 01 
this smoke emerged a wiry little brown horse with McKinley stiU 
firmly seated, as erect as a hussar. He reached the regiment and 
rave the order to fall back. The colonel in reply said -/am 
ready to go wherever you shall lead, but, lieutenant, I believe I 
ought to give these fellows a volley or two before I go. ]\IcKm- 
lev's reply was : ' Then up and at them as quickly as possible 
and on orders the regiment arose, gave the enemy a crushing ^-ol- 
ley, followed with a rattling fire, and then slowly retreated under 
McKinley' s lead toward Winchester. ^ , 

" As McKinley drew up by the side of Hayes after bringing 
the regiment to the brigade, General Hayes said : IcKmiey, i 
never expected to see you in life again.' " 



72 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

According to the official roster of the Twenty-third Ohio the 
full list of the engagements in which McKinlev took part run as 
follows : Carnifex Ferry, September lo, 1861 ; Clark's Hollow 
May I, 1862 ; Princeton, W. Va., May 15, 1862 ; South Mountain,' 
Md., September 14, 1862 ; Antietam, September 17, 1862 ; Cloyd's 
Mountain, Va., May 9, 1864 ; New River Bridge, Va., May 10 
1864; Buffalo Gap, W. Va., June 6, 1864; Lexington, W. Va ' 
June, 10, 1864 ; Buchanan, W. Va., June 14, 1864 ; Otter Creek' 
Va., June 16, 1864 ; Buford's Gap, Va., July 21, 1864 ; Winchester 
Va., July 24, 1864 ; Berryville, Va., September 3, 1864 i Opeqnan' 
Va., September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., September 32, 1864' 
Cedar Creek, Va., October 10, 1864. ' 

DESTINED TO ENTER PUBLIC LIFE. 

After being mustered out and resisting an inclination to join 
the regular army, young McKinley studied law in the office of 
Charles H. (afterward Judge) Glidden, and attended lectures at the 
Albany Law School. In 1867 he was admitted to the Bar. At that 
moment in American history, above all others, to be a lawyer was 
inevitably to enter public life. Those about him instinctively saw 
that among men who could dream here was a man who could exe- 
cute. Poland, a mere village of some few hundred people, was 
plainly not the place for the "rising" young lawyer, and acting 
on his own convictions and the advice of his elder sister, Annie a 
teacher who had helped him before when monev affairs became 
tightened, m 1867 ^e moved to Canton, then a flourishing town 
his father and mother followino- him 

The wisdom ofthe choice now became apparent. Canton was 
a lively town, the center of a region that was making rapid ad- 
vances through its manufacturing interests, and, moreover, it gave 
his energies the needed political outlet, for almost immediately 
after his admission as a lawyer and his removal to the larger field 
of Canton for practice came the Ohio gubernatorial campaign of 
1867, whose most bitterly contested feature was a constitutional 
amendment conceding negro suffrage. In defense of the rights of 
the colored man McKinley made his first political speech, and the 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY, 78 

Republicans carried tlie election althougli tlie amendment itself 

was lost. 

By this time lie liad begun to feel at home in liis profession^ 
and bis success before bis neighbors was sucb that in 1869, 
although Stark County was usually Democratic, he was elected 
to his first public of&ce as prosecuting attorney, and from that 
time on until he was elected President, in 1896, Major McKinley 
never lost his hold on public life or the affections of the people, 
first of his county, then of his district, then of his State and then 
of the country. The methods followed in 1869 in his campaign 
were those of his after life. He was assiduous in his campaign- 
ing and persuasive, not antagonistic, in his arguments. 

A REMARKABLE SPEECH. 

Men who heard his first speech say that it was strong and 
logical, and insist that they then foresaw a great career in public 
life for the young lawyer. However that may have been, it is 
certain that McKinley was at once welcomed by the Republican 
county leaders as a valuable recruit, and was given numerous 
appointments in that campaign, and in the Presidential campaign 
of 1868, to speak at town halls and schoolhouses throughout the 
county,'and so, when his own campaign of 1869 came along he 
was not without political experience. 

It was while he was prosecuting attorney that the romance 

of family life, which had hitherto been left by him chiefly as a 

loved and loving son, took a new turn, and the courtslnp and 

marriage of Miss -Ida Saxton made him the devoted husband 

whose later sacrifices for a beloved wife consecrated the marriage 

tie and the devotion of a lifetime before his people as has been 

the case with few men in public life. It is said ^e courtship of 

the attorney of twenty-eight was very characteristic. He was a 

Methodist Sunday-school teacher, and Miss Saxton conducted a 

Bible class in a Presbyterian Church. At a certain^ street corner 

each Sunday they met, and used to chat about their work. For 

months this conrinued ; then one afternoon he said to her : i his 

separation each Sunday I don't like at all-you going one way 



74 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

and I anotlier. Suppose after this we always go the same way, 
what do you think ? " 

*' I think so, too," was the quick reply. 

Mrs. McKinley, or rather Miss Saxton, had been quite the 
belle of Canton. She was a granddaughter of the veteran Ohio 
journalist, John Saxton, and a daughter of James A. Saxton, a 
banker, capitalist and man of affairs. Miss Saxton had, therefore, 
unusual opportunities for Canton. She was well educated and 
after her graduation from Brook Hall Seminary, at Media, Pa., 
the father sent her to Europe with her sister to give her a broader 
view of the world and fit her for the earnest duties of life. The 
older sister had married and gone to Cleveland to live and the 
father hoped that 'Ida would form no early love attachment and 
would remain in his home to brighten his life. 

GIRLS SHOULD BE TAUGHT INDEPENDENCE. 

It is said that he systematically discouraged the addresses of 
all young men and that for the purpose of giving his daughter a 
serious bent he persuaded her on her return from the foreign tour 
to gc into his bank as his assistant. There Ida was installed as 
cashier. He had won a comfortable fortune, hut his theory about 
girls was that they should be taught a business that would make 
them independent of marriage and enable them to be self-support- 
ing in case the parents should leave I them without suf&cieut 
property for their support. 

But the stalwart young lawyer had his way, the father con- 
sented and the marriage, which took place on January 25, 187 1, was 
a happ)'- one, but the earl}^ loss of the two children that came to 
bless it, one in 1871 and the other in 1873, followed by the life- 
long invalidism of his wife, was one of the early crosses that only 
seemed to give greater firmness to the character, greater kindness 
to the heart. For fiv^e years he took up the duties of private life 
and became one of the best campaigners of the State, he himself 
holding no office, but it was then that in discussing public ques- 
tions he began to concentrate his attention on what he believed to 
be the most important of national problems, the tariff. 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 76 

Born and bred in a manufacturing town, he had felt the pulse 
of industrial prosperity, noted how it flagged or quickened accord- 
in o- as the depressing influence of cheap foreign competition was 
applied or removed. The inexorable logic of idle workmen, fire- 
less hearths and hungry children, forced him to take a position 
from which he never deviated, and it came to be understood that 
" Protection for American industries and McKinley " were synony- 
mous terms. 

In 1876 he stepped from the local platform on the wider 
rostrum of Congressional life. Ke had long familiarized himself 
with the conditions in the Eighteenth Ohio District and his first 
campaign in the year when his neighbor and friend, General 
Hayes, became President, was one that presented few difficulties 
for himself He won by a handsome majority, and despite all the 
changes of form in his district, it having been gerrymandered a 
number of times, he was re-elected seven consecutive times, 
though it is true his majority in one case, the campaign of 18S2, 
was only 8. It was after this that all his nominations were by 
acclamation. ^^^^^ SPEECH IN THE HOUSE. 

His first speech before Congress was in opposition to Fernando 
Wood's non-protective bill, introduced into the House in 1878. 
Naturally, active and strong opposition was aroused by so able 
and uncompromising a foe to free trade and the remedy of 
gerrymandering was resorted to. In 1878 there was a re-arrange^ 
ment of his Congressional district, which placed Stark County 
in safely opposition company. General Aquila Wiley, a popular 
mar with\ brilliant war record, was nominated against him. 
That McKinley's force dominated something more than districts 
was shown by the fact that, despite the gerrymandering, he was 
returned with 15,489 votes against 14,255 ^r Wiley. On his 
return to Congress he became more and more a foe to the fiscal 
policy of his opponents and his high value to his party was 
recognized when he succeeded Garfield as a member of tne \\ ays 
and Means Committee in 1881, thus becoming one of Pig-iron 
Kelley's chief lieutenants. 



76 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

Again and again etforts to defeat him failed, and his attacks 
in the House on the "Morrison Tariff" in 1884 gave him a 
national reputation, and his leadership in the tariff debate was 
continued b}^ his fight against the "Mills Bill" in 1888, as the 
head of the Republican minority. It was in this year (1888) that 
he was elected to Congress for the seventh consecutive, but, as it 
proved, last time, and it was in this year also that the first sugges- 
tion of his name for the Presidency was made. 

It was the Chicago convention that nominated Harrison. 
The delegates, convinced that Sherman was a political impossibility, 
started a stampede for McKinley, which was only quelled by the 
emphatic refusal of the Ohio statesman to betray the constituency 
who had sent him to the convention to nominate Sherman. 
Memorable in the history of political campaigning are the words 
with which he concluded a speech in which gracious appreciation 
of an honor was finally mingled with earnest recall to a duty : "I 
demand that no delegate who would not cast reflection upon me 
shall vote for me." 

GAINED THE GOOD WILL OF ALL. 

It was such sterling political qualities as these that gave the 
statesman a hold on all who came in contact with him in any way. 
Events were moving fast to make him a national figure. In Con- 
gress for the last time, the death of William D. Kelly, in January, 
1890 made AIcKiuley the Chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee and leader of his party in the House. He was not 
unprepared for such a position, as his first speech in Congress 
had been on the tariff issue, and since 1881 his whole attention 
had been devoted to a study of the subject, so that he was the 
master of the fact and theory. During these years of debate 
he had won from friends and opponents a reputation as a singu- 
larly clear and logical debator, who had a great talent for mar- 
shaling facts in order like a column of troops, and threwing them 
against the vital point in a controversy. 

He had a pleasing voice of good, strong quality, he never 
rambled, he told no anecdotes, he indulged in no sophomoric 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 77 

flights of oratory ; lie went straight to tlie marrow of his theme 
by processes of argument and illustration so clear, simple and 
direct that he won respect and admiration from both sides of Llic 
House. One of his leading opponents used to say that he had to 
brace himself mentally not to be carried away by the strong 
undercurrent of McKiniey's irr-sistibiy persuasive talk. 

As a result of these years of study and experience he laid 
before Congress and carried through two important measuies— 
—the customs administration bill and the famous McKinley tariff 
ijill—tlie " IvlcKinley bill," by virtue of its eminence, the latter 
not only giving him" fame with his countrymen, but a notoriety 
in Europe of the most far-reaching character. The McKinley bill 
became a law on October 6, 1890, and unfortunately on his head 
and on his bill fell all the odium of the hard times which were 
due to other policies of other men, and as a result of a third 
gerrymandering of his district and a reaction against his party 
he was defeated for Congress in November, but not until he had 
wrested three out of four counties of his district from the Demo- 
crats and was beaten by only 302 votes, having reduced the 
enemy's probable majority by 2800. 

PROTECTION TO AMERICAN HOMES. 
The law of 1890 was enacted for the American people and 
the American home. Whatever mistakes were made m it were 
all made in favor of the occupations and the firesides of the 
American people. It didn't take away a single day s work from 
a solitary workingman. It gave work and wages to all, such as 
they had never had before. It did it by establishing new and 
grelt industries in this country, which increased the demand f^r 
the skill and handiwork of our laborers everywhere It had no 
Sends in Europe. It gave their industries no stimulus. It gave 
no employment to their labor at the expense of our own. 

? During more than two years of the administratiou of Pi si- 
de;tHarri!on, and down to its end,^ it raised all th^J-^^^^^ 
necessary to pay the vast expenditures of the Government 
"eluding the interest on the public debt and the pensions. It 



^* CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

never encroached npon tlie gold reserve, which in the past had 
always been sacredly preserved for the redemption of outstanding 
paper obligations of the Government 

"During all of its operations, down to the change and reversal 
of Its policy by the election of 1892, no man can assert that in the 
industries affected by it wages were too high, although they were 
higher than ever before in this or any other country. If any 
such can be found, I beg that they be named. I challenge the 
enemies of the law of 1890 to name a single industry of that 
kind. Further, I assert that in the industries affected by that 
law, which the law fostered, no American consumer suffered by 
the increased cost of any home products that he bouo-ht He 
never bought them so low before, nor did he ever enjoy the 
benefit of so much open, free, home competition. Neither 
producer nor consumer, employer or employee, suffered by that law. 

LARGEST VOTE EVER CAST FOR GOVERNOR. 

What the people of Ohio thought of the matter was proved 
by their making him Governor the next year, he polling the 
largest vote ever cast for Governor, and in 1893, when renomi- 
nated to that office, his plurality was the largest ever given a 
gubernatorial candidate in time of peace. It was while he was 
Governor that he was a delegate to the Minneapolis convention 
that renominated Harrison, where he again displayed his sense 
of honor and stood by the President. He was chairman of the 
convention and an attempt was made to railroad him in over the 
heads of both Harrison and Blaine, but he steadfastly declined 
the nomination, though the vote on the first ballot stood, Har- 
bison, 535 ; Blaine, 182 ; McKinley, 182 : Reed, 4 ; Robert 
Lincoln, I. 

But the very sacrifices he made for his friends, his rugged 
honor and honorable frankness, coupled with his known policies 
made him the leader of his party as a man and as an exponent 
of Its economic theories of government and their application and 
administration. Consequently, on June 18, 1896, at the Repub- 
lican National Convention held at St Louis, McKinley was 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 7« 

proposed for the Presidency for the third time. The situation 
was not that of 1888 or 1892, the field was open to him and he 
was nominated on the first ballot, receiving 661 Vi votes, the 
nearest to him, Reed, securing but 843^, and was elected in 
November, receiving 7,104,799 votes at the polls, a plurality ot 
601,854 over Bryan, and in the electoral college 271 votes to 

Bryan's 176. 

The nomination and election of 1896 came to Major McKinley 
w^hen he was 53 years old, experienced in public life through his 
splendid Congressional drill of fourteen years, from 1877 to 1891, and 
his executive training as Governor of Ohio from 1892 to 1896. 
Moreover, as one of the few rare and natural campaigners, the 
President had come in touch with the people in a way that put him 
thoroughly in touch with American hopes, feelings, aspirations. 
He knew what the people believed in and he felt convinced that 
he knew^ the policies, fiscal, economic, administrative, that meant 
their welfare and permanent rehabilitation of the industries of the 
entire country. In all his career he had never gotten out of touch 
with the plain people, those who make up the brain and brawn of 
the nation, and it was as their choice that he went into the White 
House in 1897. 

A CRITICAL PERIOD. 

No President ever entered upon his duties at a more critical 
moment. The country had passed through a severe industrial. 
and financial crisis, the unwise legislation of Democratic theorists 
^vith the threat of their monetary vagaries had paralyzed manu- 
factures, halted trade, put an embargo on commerce and shrunk 
credit to such an extent that the complex business needs ot the 
country were absolutely powerless despite the vast natural 
resources and the energy of the people. During the campaign the 
President had not hesitated to predict returning prosperity it tne 
economic policy of the Democrats be reversed and the country rest 
its finances on the gold standard. 

On election the way he met the gigantic issues which awaited 
him on his induction into ofEce on March 4, 1897, and the supreme 



m CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

skill with wliicli lie sailed the Ship of State tlirougli very stormy 
waters won the admiration of the whole country. Immediately 
convening Congress in extraordinary session, he recommended a 
consideration of the tariff problem. The Dmgley law was paSvSed, 
and business prospects brightend instantly. Under the low 
Wilson bill tariff financial failures in the country during the 
first six months of 1896 alone numbered 7,602, with liabilities 
amounting to $105,535,936. 

The first six months of 1900 under " McKinley times" 
showed the smallest number of failures known in a like period of 
time within eighteen years, the decrease in liabilities alone from 
the first half of 1896 being $45,471,728. 

SOUND CURRENCY BASIS. 

The President's plan to provide a more stable currency basis, 
as set forth in his first and second annual addresses, was that 
" when any of the United States notes are presented for redemp- 
tion in gold and are redeemed in gold, such notes shall be kept 
and set apart and only paid out in exchange for gold," but though 
the Dingley bill became law on July 24, 1897, i^ was not until 
March 14, 1900, that the financial reforms of the McKinley 
administration v/ere completed in the passage of the '^Gold 
Standard Act." 

The President's messages, after prosperity had been assured 
by the tariff measure, so that the President indeed proved that 
the campaign phrase dubbing William McKinley the "advance 
agent of prosperity " had been no idle boast, v/ere marked by a 
broad grasp of the practical problems in hand which took on more 
and more of an international character as the difi&culties with 
Spain over Cuba increased and the Eastern situation owing to the 
weakness of China took on a threatening attitude. 

In his message to the special session of 1897, which enacted 
the Dingley law, the President had dwelt wholly on the tariff, but 
in his regular message to Congress, in December, 1897, he asked 
for the full consideration of the currency question, and he re- 
peated this recommendation in 1898, holding before Congress the 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 81 

necessity of putting tlie finances of the country on the soundest 
possible basis. As a result of this confidence was restored 
throughout the country, business revived, and some of the fiscal 
effects of McKinley's first administration were marvelous. The 
total money in circulation on July i, 1896, was $1,509,725,206. 

Four years later under McKinley that had increased to( 
$2,062,425,496, and on February i, 1901, the total money in 
circulation was $2,190,780,213. Instead of the amount of money 
in circulation decreasing, the per capita increased from $21.15 
Tuly I, 1896, to $26.50 July i, 1900, and to $28.38 February i, 
1901. Thus the per capita circulation of money in the United 
States has increased over 26 per cent., the total money in circula- 
tion over 33 per cent., and the gold in circulation over 62 per 

cent. 

IMMENSE CASH BALANCE. 

Instead of a bankrupt Treasury, there was a cash balance 
under the old form at the beginning of his second administration 
of nearly $300,000,000. Under the new form, with $150,000,000 
set aside as a reserve fund, there was an available cash balance 
of nearly $150,000,000. In the refunding of the public debt, 
$9,000,000 was saved, and in addition $7,000,000 annually on 
interest. But it was not so much the successful issue of the 
financial affairs, as near as they were to the pockets of every one, 
that lifted the President and his administration to a level never 
before occupied by a group of american statesmen, but the brilliant 
achievements in the field of foreign affairs, which found the 
United States at the beginning of the President's administration 
a self-contained continental power, isolated and ignored in many 
)f the counsels of the world powers, and left it at the close of his 
first administration, after the issue of the war with Spain, one o) 
the four leading powers, in whose hands are the destinies of th^ 
globe. 

1 he first remote hint of a possible conflict with Spain and 
the first action in Congress on the Cuban question came from tke 
Presidential appeal for the relief of the destitution ol Cuba, Con- 
gress appropriating $50,000 on ^lay 17, 1897. Less than a yeai 
6 McK 



82 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

later, as tlie situation in Cuba failed to improve, Congress passed 
tlie famous $5v^,ooc,ooc appropriation on MarcK ^, 1898, to be used 
Rt the President's discretion " for the national defense," and, 
■dltbougb the President was opposed to hurrying into a war until 
all other avenues for bringing Spain to her senses were closed, 
war rapidly became the only possible solution. 

On March 23, the President sent to Spain an ultimatum con- 
cerning ^he intolerable situation in Cuba, and on April 11, after 
the report of the '^ourt of Inquiry on the destruction of the "Maine" 
had fixed the origin of the explosion on an outside cause, the 
President sent a firm but iignified message to Congress, advising 
intervention for the sake of humanity, but advising against a 
recognition of the Cuban Government. 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. 

On April 23, the President issued a call for 125,000 volunteers, 
and in a message to Congress on April 25, the President recom- 
mended the passage of a joint resolution declaring that war with 
Cpain existed. The acts of war then came fast and thick. 
Dewey's victory at Manila on May i, was followed by the defeat 
of Cervera at Santiago July 3, Hawaii was annexed on July 7, and 
on August 9, Spain formally accepted the President's terms of 
peace, the armistice following on August 12, and the final treaty 
of peace being signed on December 10, 1898, by which the United 
States became possessed of Porto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, a 
colonial domain rivaling England's at a cost of $20,000,000, and 
the President's policy of expansion was fully entered in upon with 
the evident approval of the people. 

The war, however, not only added to the bounds and respon- 
sibilities of the United States, but was largely responsible under 
the influence of the President in his intercourse with public men 
of the opposition in promoting an era of good feeling. The com- 
plete obliteration of sectional lines had been secured and the 
President found as his first term came to an end that he was more 
truly than for many years past the President of a united country. 

The influence of his example, the power of his position and 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 



83 



all the force of his ability were constantly given to this end and 
his gratification at the fulfillment of so noble an inspiration found 
voice at Atlanta in these words — " Reunited — one country again 
and one countr}^ forever ! Proclaim it from the press and pulpit : 
teach it in the schools ; write it across the skies ! The world sees 
and feels it ; it cheers every heart North and South, and brightens 
the life of every American home ! Let nothing ever strain it 
again ! At peace with all the world and v/ith each other, what can 
stand in the pathway of our progress and prosperity." 

Later, upon the field of Antietam, where he had distinguished 
himself as commissary sergeant when a lad of nineteen, the Presi- 
dent spoke again upon this subject, and said : "Standing here to- 
day, one reflection only has crowded my mind— the difference 
between this scene and that of thirty-eight j^ears ago. Then the 
men who wore the blue and the men who wore the grey greeted 
each other with shot and shell, and visited death upon their re- 
spective ranks. We meet, after all these intervening years, with 
but one sentiment — that of loyalty to the Government of the 
United States, love of our flag and our free institutions, and de- 
termined, men of the North and men of the South, to make any 
sacrifice for the honor and perpetuity of the American nation." 

HIS SUCCESSFUL POLICY. 

The President thus stood for reconciliation and harmony the 
land over, and in carrying out his policies he was able by his 
persuasive powers and the sheer force of character to rally the 
opposition to his side, so that his policy during and after the war 
became the policy of Congress, and what, with the new islands 
left to his care, Cuba also in his charge as a ward b}^ treat}^ the 
closing years of his first administration were ver}^ busy ones for 
the President, who, however, never flinched at his work nor 
vacillated in his determination to promote the good of tlie people 
under his charge, even though the misguided revolutionists in 
the Philippines forced the United States during 1899, 1900 and 
1901 to take stern measures for the securing of law, order, peace 
and prosperity for the Philippine Islands as a whole. 



S4 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

Sucli was tlie confidence in tlie President and his wise man- 
agement of national affairs tliat not only was lie triumphantly 
renominated by the Philadelphia convention on June 21, 1900, 
but was triumphantly re-elected, November 6, with a larger 
plurality than in 1896, and with 292 votes in the electoral college 
to Bryan's 155. McKinley carried twenty-eight States^ repre- 
senting the wealth and resources and the centres of power in the 
country to seventeen for Bryan, and the popular vote for him was 
7,206,677. 

This support of the people for the President as a public man, 
and their personal regard for him, evinced so often on his tours 
through the country, the last and not the least exhibition being 
that made during the tour of last Spring, abandoned at San Fran- 
cisco on account of Mrs. McKinley, were but faint reflections of 
the closei support and regard of his friends. 

BECAME A NOTABLE FIGURE. 

" When he was pressing the passage of the famous tariff bill 
which was known by his name, his frankness was only matched by 
his amiability," wrote one man. "So when the bill had been passed, 
McKinley was the most notable figure in Washington and he was 
respected alike by those who had fought with and those who 
had fought against him. There probably never was a measure 
passed in Washington of so much importance as this with so little 
hard feeling and so few hard words. There was no mistaking 
McKinley's intention. He was always entirely frank and open 
and aboveboard. He tried no devious ways ; he had no concealed 
traps to spring. And so those who fought him hardest became his 
well-wishers as a man, whatever they thought of his policies." 

This frankness and his true self v/ere never better exhibited 
than in the announcement made after his return from his Cali- 
fornia tour with regard to a third term. Almost from the bedside 
of his helpless wife he wrote : 

" I regret that the suggestion of a third term has been made. 
I doubt whether I am called upon to give it notice. But there are 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 85 

aow questions of tlie greatest importance before the Administra 
tion and tlie country, and their just consideration should U'-t 
be prejudiced in the public mind by even the suspicion of the 
thought of a third term. In view, therefore, of the reiteration of 
the suggestion of it, I will say now, once for all, expressing a long 
settled conviction, that I not only am not and will not be a candi- 
date for a third term, but would not accept a nomination for it, if 
it were tendered me. 

*' My only ambition is to serve through my second term to 
the acceptance of my countrymen, whose generous confidence I 
so deeply appreciate, and then with them to do my duty in the 
ranks of private citizenship. 

"WILLIAM M'KINLEY." 

Executive Mansion, Washington, June ii, 1901. 
A MAN OF HARD COMMON SENSE. 

This letter has the true McKinley ring. It exhibits the 
President's common sense — one of his saving graces that added 
to his high value in public life. " His predominant character- 
istics." wrote an admirer on the eve of his re-election in 1900, 
*'his most predominant characteristics which bind great bodies of 
men to him with rivets of steel ; which have lifted him from the 
position of a private soldier to that of Chief Magistrate of the 
nation, which have sustained him and carried him through the 
many great crises confronting him, and have given him the trust 
and confidence of the American people — are his moral strengtb 
and his unflinching courage to do the right as he sees it, irrespec- 
tive of temporary consequences. His natural gentleness and his 
tendency to ignore small and non-essential differences, his willing- 
ness to oblige even his enemies and his utter lack of vindictive- 
ness~all these, when the times of crisis have come, and the eyes 
of the people have turned to him, alone have given him added 
strength to achieve great results in public affairs." 

His domestic virtues were not only revealed in his tender 
devotion to his wife, so signally exhibited last May at vSan 
Francisco., but in his respect fdr his father, who iiied in Novembe: 



Sb CAREER Ojf i^RESIDEN'I McKINLrf. 

1892, and for His motlier, Nancy Allison McKinleyj who enjoyed 
tlie supreme felicity of all American mothers of seeing her son 
in the White House, dying at Canton, O., December 12, 1897, 
The invalidism of Mrs. McKiuley threw a peculiarly pathetic 
aspect over their mutual affection. Their relations were singu- 
larly tender and touching, Mrs. McKinley seldom allowing her 
state of health to keep her from her husband's side whenever 
called, and he, even when so harassed by State problems as to be 
unable to snatch time for sleep, writing to her every night when 
absent, obeying the slightest call to her side when the}^ were 

together. 

FELLOW FEELING FOR WORKINGMAN. 

His intense brotherly feeling for the workingman was one 
of his dominant characteristics, and manifested itself in more 
practical forms than this. When Governor of Ohio in 1895, he 
received at midnight the news that 2000 miners in the Hocking 
Valley district were without food or employment By five o'clock 
the next morning $1000 worth of provisions were loaded on a car 
and despatched to the scene of distress, on the personal respon- 
sibility of the Governor. Later, contributions from the leading 
cities of the State brought the relief fund up to $32,796, but the 
*' Governor's car" was the first to arrive, 

A side of Mr. McKinley's nature, of which only his more 
intimate friends caught glimpses, was his deep religious faith. 
In early life, during his student da3^s at the Poland Academy, 
he had joined the Methodist Church, of which he always 
remained a lo3^al member, active in church work until national 
issues began to fill his hands. " Many of us thought he would 
become a minister," said Rev. Dr. Morton, his first pastor, in a 
recent reminiscent talk. Although sensitively shrinking from 
making a prarde or profit of his religion, he was always ready to 
defend Christians and Christianity when the voice of the scoffer 
*vas raised against them. 

As an orator the President was supreme, belonging to that 
highest rank of public speakers who cultivate the matter of theii 
discourse and leave the manner to aature-. He never dealt is 



'^ARitEK OF PRESIDENT McKINLEV 87 

sensations, never pla3-ed on pathos, had no need to be a raconteur, 
he prepared what he had to say with the ntmost care, and said it 
'u the most earnest and unaffected way he could, but with sure 
effect. When the celebrated Mills bill came up before the House, 
D. C. Haskill, who served with McKinley on the Wa3's aud Means 
Committee, asked especially for the honor of closing the debate. 
The arrangement was made, therefore, that Haskill spoke last and 
McKinley next to the last. When McKinley had ended his re- 
marks, Haskill pressed forward, wrung his hand cordially and 
exclaimed : " Major. I shall speak last ; but you, sir, have closed 

the debate." 

HIS REMARKABLE VOICE. 

In speaking, the President had a voice of wonderful carrying 
power, but it was the impress of conviction rather than his voice 
that had its effect on his audiences. His attitude in the matter ot 
principles is aptly illustrated by an anecdote of one of his congres- 
<^ioual campaigns, that of 1882, in Ohio, when the Democratic tidal 
wave had left him with a very slender majority. Referring to this 
one day Congressman vSpringer said rather sneeringly : " Your 
constituents do not seem, to support you, Mr. McKinley." Mr. 
McKinley' s quick answer was worthy of a Roman tribune. " My 
fidelity to my constituents," he said, " is not measured by the sup- 
port they give me, I have convictions I would not surr?^nder if 
10,000 majority were entered against me." 

A townsman in speaking of McKinley's brief but telling 
words uttered in the Chicago convention of 1888, on the issue 
raised by the use of his name as a candidate for the Presidency, 
the closing sentence of which speech, revealing as it does, the 
speaker's high sense of honor, as has already been quoted, said ; 
^' Major, that answer of yours was a literary gem," 

'' Well," answered the Ohio delegate T^-ith great simplicity, " I 
got up at 5 o'clock this morning and walked the streets of Chicago 
until I got just what I wanted." 

This speech, which throws so admirable a light on the Presi- 
dent's character, was as follows : — 

'* I am here as one of the chosen representatives of my State, 



88 CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

I am "here by resolution of tlit Republican State Convention, 
passed witbout a single dissenting vote, commanding me to cast 
my vote for Jobn Sberman for President and to use every wortby 
endeavor for bis nomination. I accepted tbe trust because my 
heart and my judgment were in accord witb tbe letter and spirit 
aad purpose of tbat resolution. It bas pleased certain delegates to 
cast tbeir votes for me for President. I am not insensible to tbe 
bonor tbey would do me, but in tbe presence of tbe duty resting 
upon me, I cannot remain silent witb bonor. 

" I cannot, consistently witb tbe wisb of tbe State wbose cre- 
dentials I bear and wbicb bas trusted me ; I cannot witb bonor- 
abl& fidelity to Jobn Sberman ; I cannot, consistently witb mj?- 
oAvn views of personal integrity, consent, or seem to conset, to per- 
mit my name to be used as a candidate before tbis convention. I 
would not respect myself if I sbould find it in my beart to do so, 
or permit to be done tbat wbicb would ever be ground for any one 
to suspect tbat I wavered in my loyalty to Obio or my devotion 
to tbe cbief of ber cboice and tbe cbief of mine. I do not request, 
I demand, tbat no delegate wbo would not cast reflection upon me 
sball cast a ballot for me." 

CAMPAIGN ACHIEVEMENTS. 

In number alone tbe McKinley speecbes are impressive as 
betokening a magnificent reserve store of vitality, ten addresses 
a day consecutively for a montb being among bis campaign 
acbievements in tbe old times. But tbey were always feats of 
strength in tbe intellectual even more tban tbe pbysical sense, 
many of tbem baving already passed into tbe classics of politico- 
social literature, wbile bis State papers bave not only bad a pro- 
found effect on tbe tbougbt of tbe day, but are for tbe future as 
well. 

One wbo knew him well described bim as follows :— 

" Quiet, dignified, modest, considerate of otbers ; ever mindful 

of the long service of tbe leaders of bis party, true as steel to bis 

friends ; nnbesitating at tbe call of duty, no matter wbat tbe 

personal ??acr!£ipe ; nnwavering in bis integrity, full of tact in 



CAREER OF PRESIDENT McKlNLEV. 89 

overcoming opposition, yet unyielding on vital principles ; with a 
lieart full of sympathy for those who toil, a disposition unspoiled 
by success, and a private life equally spotless and sclf-sacrificiug, 
William McKinley stood before the American people as one of 
the finest types of courageous, persevering, vigorous and develop- 
ing manhood that this Republic ever produced. More than any 
other President since Lincoln, perhaps, he was in touch with 
those whom Abraham Lincoln loved to call the plain people of 
this country. 

A greater encomium could not be written and the people will 
treasure it as the President's name and fame become splendid 
memories ; for though Washingson's name is ever first in the 
people's thoughts, Lincoln's ever immanent as the glorious 
martyr to a great cause, the name of McKinley crystalizes an 
epoch, the most signal in the history of the Republic, surpassing 
in its achievements, under his administration, the most brilliant 
efforts of the past and dazzling in its possibilities for the future 
of the people, and of the Goverment for the people and by the 
people, whose preservation in all perpetuity of its free institutions 
was his fondest wish and to whose service he gave a lifetime of 
high endeavor. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Additional Account of President McKinley's Life — Illus- 
trious Ancestry — A Young Patriot in the Army — First 
Term in the White House. and Re-election. 

[The following sketch of President McKinley's career was 
prepared by Mr. George R. Prowell for a semi-official publication. 
The data were furnished b}^ Private Secretary Cortelj^ou, and the 
article — of cour.;e, with the exception of the concluding paragraphs 
—was revised by the President himself.] 

WILLIAM Mckinley, twenty-fifth President of the United 
States, was born in Niles, Ohio, January 29, 1843 ; son of 
William and Nancy Campbell (Allison) McKinley, grandson of 
James and Polly (Rose) McKinley and of Abner and Ann (Camp- 
bell) Allison, and great-grandson of David and Sarah (Gray) 
McKinley and of Andrew Rose, an ironmaster of Bucks county. 
Pa., who was sent home from the Revolutionary War to make 
cannon and bullets for the army. 

David's father, John McKinley, came to America from Der- 
vock, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1743, when twelve years of age, 
and the relatives with whom he came located in Chanceford 
township, York county. Pa. David was born there May 16, 1755, 
served for twenty-one months in the Revolution in the Pennsyl- 
vania line, and after peace was restored, became an iron manu- 
facturer in Westmoreland county, where he was married, December 
17, 1780, to Sarah Gray. He removed to Pine township, Mercer 
county, in 1795, and in 181 5 to Columbiana county, Ohio, where 
he died in 1840. His seventh child, William, was born in Pine 
township, in 1807, was married in 1829, ^^^ engaged in iron 
manufacturing at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, where his son, 
William, was born. 

On his removal, in 1852, to Poland, William, Jr., attended 
the Union Seminary until 1860, when he entered thf* junior class 

90 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 91 

of Allegheny College. Meadville, Pa, but before closing bis class 
year, was obliged to leave on account of a severe illness^ He 
then taugbt a district scbool, and was clerk m tbe Poland post 

rn 

On June ii, 1861, lie enlisted as a private in Company E, 
Twentv-third Ohio Volunteer lufantry, served in Western Vir- 
ginia, and saw his first battle at Carnifex Ferry, September 10, 
1861 On April 15, 1862, he was promoted commissary sergeant, 
and Served as such in the battle of Antietam with such conspic- 
uous o-allantry as to win for him promotion, September 24, 1862, 
to the rank of second lieutenant. On February;, 1863, he was 
made first lieutenant, and on July 25, 1864, was raised to the rank 
Tcaptain He served on the staffs of Generals Hayes, Crook, 
Hancock, Sheridan and Carroll; was brevetted '^^J^.'^ ^arch 13, 
786 for gallantry at Opequan, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill 
and';as serving as acting assistant adjutant general in the Fi st 
Division, First Army Corps, when he was mustered out, July 
26, 1865. ^^^ STUDENT AT YOUNGSTOWN. 

He returned home, and studied law at Youngstown, Ohio 
and at the Albany Law School, and was admitted to the Ohio Bar 
at Warren, in March, 1867, and settled in practice in Canton, 
owl He was elected by the Republicans of ^^f^^^^^Jj^ 
cutiuK Attorney, and served 1870-71, but was defeated for re-elec- 
tion He was^arried January 25, 1871, to Ida, daughter of 
James A. and Catherine (Dewalt) Saxton, of C- o", Ohio 

He was a Representative from the Seventeenth District 01 
He was ^ i<^ep defeating Leslie L. Lanbora, 

Oho in the Forty-fifth Congress, aeieauu^^v 
1877-7Q ■ from the Sixteenth Distnct m the Forty-sixth Congress, 
deJatng General AquiUa Wiley, 1879-81, and fiom the Seven- 
teenth District in the Forty-seventh Congress, defeating Leroy D 
teenth Uistiict 1 y ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ f^^^ 

leZLeir^tn?^^^^^^^^ f f "^J I 

"^ of eight ^'^^:::^^]^:^^^, 

but his seat was successfully contestea uy j 

of Columbiana county, who was seated m June, i»»4- 



92 GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

Mr. McKinley was elected from the Twentieth District to the 
Forty-ninth Congress, defeating David R. Paige, 1885-87, and 
from the Eighteenth District to the Fiftieth and Fifty-first Con- 
gresses, against Wallace H. Phelps and George P. Ikert, respec- 
tively, serving 1887-91, and was defeated in the Sixteenth District 
for Representative to the Fifty-second Congress in 1890 by John 
G. Warwick, of Massillon, Democrat, by 302 votes. The changes 
in the Congressional districts were due to political expedients used 
by the party in power, and Mr. McKinley, while always a resident of 
Stark county, was in this way obliged to meet the conditions 
caused by the combination of contiguous counties in the efforts of 
the opposition to defeat him. 

APPOINTED ON JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. 

He was appointed by Speaker Randall in 1877 to a place on 
the Judiciary Committee, and he succeeded Representative James 
A. Garfied on the Ways and Means Committee in December, 1880. 
In the Forty-sixth Congress he was appointed on the House Com- 
mittee of Visitors to the United States Military Academy, and in 
1 88 1 he was Chairman of the committee having in charge the 
Garfield memorial exercises in the House. In Congress he sup- 
ported a high protective tariff, making a notable speech on the 
subject April 6, 1882, and his speech on the Morrison Tariff bill, 
April 30, 1884, was said to be the most effective argument made 
against it. 

On April 16, 1890, as Chairman of the Committee on Ways 
and Means as successor to Judge Kelley, he introduced the gen- 
eral tariff measure afterwards known by his name, and his speech 
before the House, May 7, 1890, fully established his powers as 
an orator. The bill passed the House May 21, and the Senate, 
after a protracted debate, September 11, and became a law October 
6, 1890. His notable congressional speeches not already men- 
tioned include that on arbitration as a solution of labor troubles, 
April 2, 1886 ; his reply. May 18, 1888, to Representative Samuel 
J. Randall's argument in favor of the Mills Tariff Bill, of which 
millions of copies were circulated by the m.anufacturing interests 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. ys 

of tlie country ; his speecli of December 17, 18S9, introducing the 
Customs Administration bill to simplify the laws relating to tlie 
collection of revenue, and bis forceful address sustaining the 
Civil Service law, April 24, 1890. 

On the organization of the Fifty-third Congress, December 
3, 1889, he was a candidate for Speaker, but was defeated on the 
third ballot in the Republican caucus by Thomas B. Reed. In 
1880 he was chairman of the Republican State convention, and 
was chosen by the Republican National convention at Chicago, 
in June, 1880, as the Ohio member of the Republican National 
Committee. In this capacity, during the canvass of Garfield and 
Arthur, he spoke with General Garfield in the principal Northern 
and Western States. 

ENTRANCE INTO NATIONAL POLITICS. 

In national politics his service began with his election as adele- 
gate-at-large to the Republican National Convention that met at 
Chicago June 3, 1884, and he was made a member of the Committee 
on Resolutions, and supported the candidacy of James G. Blaine. 
During the canvass of that year he spoke with the Republican 
candidate on his celebrated Western tour, and afterward in 
Western Virginia and New York. In the Republican National 
Convention that met at Chicago June 19, 1888, he was Chairman 
of the Committee on Resolutions, and he supported the candidacy 
of John Sherman, although there was a strong effort to have him 
consent to the use of his own name as a candidate. 

In the Republican National Convention that met at Minne- 
apolis June 7, 1892, he was a delegate-at-large from Ohio, and 
permanent Chairman of the Convention. He received 182 votes 
at this Convention for the Presidential nomination, but refused to 
consider the action of his friends, and left the chair to move to 
make the nomination of President Harrison unanimous, and he 
was Chairman of the Committee to notify the President of his 

nomination. » • 

He was Governor of Ohio, 1892-96, defeating Governor James 
, K Campbell in 1891 by 21,500 plurality, and as Governor his 



M i.KANU MILHARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

sympathies were with the laboring men in their contests with 
capitalists, and he recommended to the Legislature additional pro- 
tection to the employes of railroads. His Democratic opponent 
for Governor in 1S93 was Lawrence T. Neal, and the issues of the 
canvass were entirely national. McKinley opposed both free trade 
and free silver, and he was elected by over 80,000 plurality. Dur- 
ing his second administration of the State government he was 
obliged to call out 3,000 members of the National Guard to sup- 
press threatened labor riots, and he was able to prevent what 
appeared to be inevitable mob violence, attended by lynching. 

HELPS THE STARVING MINERS. 

He also personall}'- supervised the distribution of funds and 
provisions to the starving miners in the Hocking Valley. He took 
an active part in the Presidential campaign in 1892, travelling 
over 16,000 miles and averaging seven speeches per day for a 
period of over eight weeks, during which time it was estimated 
that he addressed over 2,000,000 voters. During the Presidential 
canvass of 1S96 he remained in Canton, and received between June 
19 and November 2, over 750,000 visitors, who journeyed from 
all parts of the Union to make his personal acquaintance and 
listen to his short speeches delivered from bis piazza, speaking 
in this informal way over 300 different times. 

When the Republican National Convention met in St. Louis, 
June 16, 1896, his name was again before the Convention, and on 
the first ballot, made June 18, he received 661}^ votes to 35^ for 
Thomas B. Reed, of Maine ; 6o>^ for Matthew S. Quay, of Penn- 
sylvania ; 58 for Levi P. Morton, of New York, and 34^^ for 
William B. Allison, of Iowa. He was elected President of the 
United States November 3, 1896, the McKinley and Hobart 
Electors receiving 7,104,779 votes to 6,402,925 for the Bryan and 
Sewell Electors, and the minority candidates. Levering and John- 
son, Prohibition, receiving 132,000 votes ; Palmer and Buckner, 
National Democrat, 133,148 votes ; Matchett and Maguire, Social 
Labor, 36,274 votes, and Bentley and Southgate, Nationalist 
t^>.66q votes. 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD, 96 

William McKinley was formally announced by tlie Electoral 
College as tlie choice of that body for President of the United 
States by a vote of 271 to 176 for W. J. Bryan, and he was inaug- 
urated March 4, 1897, Chief Justice Fuller administering the 
oath of of&ce. He at once announced his Cabinet, as follows : 

John Sherman, of Ohio, Secretary of State ; Lyman J. Gage, 
of Illinois, Secretary of the Treasury ; Russell A. Alger, of Mich- 
igan, Secretary of War ; Cornelius N. Bliss, of New York, 
Secretary of the Interior ; John D. Long, of Massachusetts, 
Secretary of the Navy ; James Wilson, of Iowa, Secretary of 
Agriculture ; James A. Gary, of Maryland, Postmaster General, 
and Joseph McKenna, of California, Attorney General. On 
December 17, 1897, Attorney General McKenna resigned, t( 
accept the position of Associate Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court, and President McKinley appointed John W. 
Griggs, of New Jersey, Attorney General, January, 21, 1897. 

PASSAGE OF DINGLEY TARIFF BILL. 

He called an extra session of Congress to assemble March 
15, 1897, and the Dingley Tariff bill was passed and became a 
law. On May 17, he sent to Congress a special message asking 
for an appropriation for the aid of suffering American citizens 
in Cuba and secured $50,000 for that purpose. The Administra- 
tion was represented at foreign courts as follows : Ambassador 
to Great Britain, John Hay, of Ohio, succeeded in 1899 by Joseph 
H.Choate, of New York ; to France, Horace Porter, of New York ; 
to Austria and Austria-Hungary, Charlemagne Tower, of Penn- 
sylvania, succeeded in 1899 by Addison C. Harris, of Indiana ; 
United States Minister to Russia, Ethan A. Hitchcock, of 
Missouri, raised to Ambassador in 1898, and succeeded in 1899 
by Charlemagne Tower; Ambassador to Germany, Andrew D. 
White, of New York; Ambassador to Italy, William F. Draper, 
of Massachusetts, succeeded in 1901 by George Von L. Meyer, of 
Massachusetts ; Ambassador to Spain, Stewart L. Woodford, of 
New York, who served until official relations were broken off in 
April, 1898 ; he was succeeded by Bellamy Storer, of OhiOc 



U GRAND iMILlTARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

The changes in President McKinley's Cabinet were the 
resignation of John Sherman from the State Department, April 
27 189S, and the promotion of William R. Day, Assistant Secre- 
la^ of State, ^vllo resigned September 16, 1898, and was suc- 
ceeded by John Hay, recalled from the Court of St James ; the 
resignation of General Russel A. Alger from the War Depart- 
ment, August I, 1899, and the appointment of Elihu Root, of 
New York, as his successor ; the resignation of Cornelius N. 
Bliss from the Interior Department, December 22, 1898, to be 
succeeded by Ethan A. Hitchcock, recalled from St. Petersburg ; 
the resignation of James A. Gary from the Postoffice Department 
and the appointment of Charles Emory Smith, of Pennsylvania, 
to that office, and the resignation of John W. Griggs from the 
office of Attorney General in March, 1901, to be succeeded by 
Philander Chase Knox, of Pennsylvania. 

SYMPATHY FOR CUBAN PATRIOTS. 

The treatment of the Cuban patriots struggling for freedom 
aroused the sympathy of the people of the United States and the 
demands of the United States Minister at Madrid for more 
humane treatment were disregarded. The destruction of the 
United States cruiser " Maine " in Havana harbor, February 15, 
1S9S, resulting in the death of 266 United States officers and men 
and the wounding of 69 others, aggravated the condition of 
aflfairs, and on March 7, 1898, Congress authorized the raising of 
two new regiments of artillery ; voted $50,000,000 for national 
defences, placing the amount in the hands of the President for 
disposal at his discretion, and authorized the contingent 
increase of the army to 100,000 men. 

On April 13, 1898, Congress gave the President full authority 
to act in the matter of the difficulties with Spain, and on the i6th 
passed a resolution acknowledging Cuban independence. The 
President signed the joint resolutions declaring the people of 
Cuba free, and directing the President to use the land and naval 
forces of the United States to compel Spain to withdraw from the 
Island. At noon, April 21, 1898, war was declared against Spain, 




TEMPLE OF MUSIC AT THE PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION 

IN THIS BUILDING PRESIDENT McKINLEY WAS ASSASSINATED 

WHILE HOLDING A PUBLIC RECEPTION 




BUILDING OF ETHNOLOGY AT BUFFALO 




PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT 




THE WIDOW OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT 
FR©M HER LATEST PHOTOGRAPH 




CZOLGOSZ THE DASTARDLY ASSASSIN 




EMMA GOLDMAN 
HE« mF.«0>;S TEAOH^aS ,MSP,»EO CZO..OSZ TO .SS«S,»AT. PR.S.OE^T .=K,«L.y 




ELECTRIC TOWER AT THE PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION 




UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BUILDING AT BUFFALO 




BY GEORGE G. RQCK>«OOD| N. V. 



COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



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GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD <// 

and on the 23d a call for i25,ck)0 volunteers was issued. On April 

30, Congress authorized an issue of $500,000,000 in bonds, which 

'.ssue was speedily taken up by popular subscription. In his 

proclamation of April 26, 1898, the President adopted the essential 

principles as laid down by the declaration of Paris, 1856, although 

neither the United States nor Spain was a party to the agreement 

between the nations as to the rights of neutrals in naval warfare. 

The victory of the United States navy in destroying the 

Spanish fleet at Manilla on May i, 1898, followed by the still 

more decisive victory over the Spanish fleet at Santiago, Cuba, 

July 3,1898 , marked the beginning and end of the war, the other 

incidents of the campaign of historic import being the battle of 

El Caney and San Juan, where, on July 1-2, 1898, the United 

States army lost 230 killed, 1284 wounded and 79 missing, and 

gained a decisive victory over the Spanish troops. On July 26, 

the French Minister at Washington made known the desire of 

Spain to negotiate for peace, and President McKinley named the 

conditions that the United States would insist upon as a basis of 

negotiations. 

CONDITIONS OF PEACE. 

These included the evacuation of Cuba, the ceding of Porto 
Rico and other Spanish Islands in the West Indies, and that the 
city, bay and harbor of Manila should be continued in the posses- 
sion of the United States pending the conclusion of the treaty. A 
protocol was signed on August 12 by Secretary Day and the 
French Ambassador, M. Cambon, and October i following was 
named as the time for the meeting to arrange the terms of peace. 
On August 26 the President appointed William R. Day, Cushman 
K. Davis, William P. Frye, Whitelaw Reid and Edward D. White 
Peace Commissioners, and on September 9, George Gray was sub- 
stituted for Mr. Justice WhitCo 

They met in Paris October i, and adjourned December, 10, 
i8q8. The treaty as signed on the latter date provided that 
Spain relinquish all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba, 
the surrender of all other of the West India islands held by 
Spain and the Island of Guam, in the padrone group^ and the 
7 McK 



6€ GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

cessiou of the Philippines to tne United States. The United 
States agreed to pay to Spain the sum of $20,000,000, to repatriate 
all Spanish soldiers at its expense and various minor provisions. 
On January 4, 1S99, the President transmitted the treaty to the 
Senate, which body referred it to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, and it was ratified December 6, 1899. 

OUTBREAK OF WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES. 

Meantime hostilities had broken out in the Philippine 
Islands between the natives and the United States troops, and the 
President appointed Admiral George Dewey, General Elwell S. 
Otis, J. G. Schurman, President of Cornell University ; Dean C. 
Worcester, of the Faculty of the University of Michigan, and 
Charles Denby, former United States Minister to China, a Com- 
mission to study the situation there and advise as to its settle- 
ment. The President also appointed a delegation to represent 
the United States at the Peace Conference called by the Czar of 
Russia iu 1898 to meet at the Hague in May, 1899. The delega- 
tion was made up of the United States Ambassador to Germany, 
Andrew D. White; the United States Minister to Holland, 
Stanford Nevil ; the President of Columbia University, Seth 
Low ; Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N. (retired), and Captain 
William Crozier, U. S. N., with Frederick W. Holls as Secretary 
and counsel. 

When the Republican National Convention met at Phil- 
adelphia, June 25, 1900, President McKinley received every one of 
the 930 votes of the delegates for renomination as the party can- 
didate for President, and Theodore Roosevelt, of New York, 
received 929 votes for the candidacy for Vice President, the single 
vote missing being the delegate vote of the candidate. In the 
election of November 6, 1900, the Republican Electors received 
7,206,677 popular votes, to 6,374,397 for the Bryan and Stevenson 
Electors, the popular votes for the minority candidates standing 
as follows : Woolley and Metcalf, Prohibiton, 208,555 ; Barker and 
Donnelly, Anti-Fusion People's, 50,337 ; Debs and Harriman, 
Social Democrat, 84,003 ; Maloney and Remmell, Socialist Labor, 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD, 99 

39,537 ; Leonard and Wooley, United Christian, 1060, and Ellis 
and Nichols, Union Reform, 5698. The electoral vote stood 292 
for McKinley and Roosevelt and 155 for Bryan and Stevenson. 
The successful Republican candidates were inaugurated March 4, 
1901, and the President made no immediate changes in his 
Cabinet. 

He visited California with his wife and members of his 
cabinet in 1901, and intended to make the tour extend to the 
principal cities of the Pacific slope, but the serious illness 01 
Mrs. McKinley forced him to return to Washington after reaching 
San Francisco. 

VISIT TO PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION. 

On September 4, 1901, he visited the Pan-American Exposi- 
tion, at Buffalo, N. Y., and made a notable speech in which he 
outlined the policy to be pursued by the Administration in main- 
taining and increasing the commercial prosperity of the nation, 
and on September 6 he held a public reception in the Temple of 
Music, to which the citizens of Buffalo and visitors to the Expo- 
sition gathered in great numbers. In the course of the reception, 
about 4 o'clock P. M., one of the visitors, while shaking his hand, 
shot him twice, one hall striking the breast bone and one entering 
the stomach. 

The would-be assassin was at once captured and proved to be 
Leon Czolgosz, an avowed Anarchist. President McKinley was a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran 
Legion and other military organizations. He received the 
honorary degree of LL. D. from Western Reserve University 
and McKendree College in 1897, from the University of Chicago 
and Yale University in 1898, from Smith College in 1899, being 
the second person and the first man to receive an honorary degree 
from that institution, and from the University of California in 
1901, and that of D. C. L. from Mt. Holyoke in 1899. 

He was invited to visit Harvard University in June, 1901, 
and the Corporation voted him the honorary degree of LL.D., tt^ 
be bestowed on the occasion, but the serious illness of Mrs- 



100 GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

McKinle}^ prevented his presence. The notable speeches deliv- 
ered by Mr. McKinley, and not already mentioned, include the 
address in Canton, O., before the Ohio State Grange, December 
13, 1887, on "The American Farmer," in which he opposed the 
holding of American lands by aliens, and urged the farmers to 
be true to the principles of protection ; the address at the Home 
Market Club, in Boston, February 9, 1888, in which he persuaded 
the New England representatives to abandon the policy of "free 
raw material ;" the speech at the Lincoln banquet, in Toledo, O., 
February 12, 1891, in which he answered President Cleveland's 
address on "American Citizenship," delivered on the occasion of 
the seventieth anniversary of the birthday of Allen G. Thurman, 
at Columbus, O., November 13, 1890, and the oration delivered 
on February 22, 1894, before the Union League Club, Chicago, 
111., on the life and public services of George Washington. 

GLOWING TRIBUTE TO M'KINLEY. 

One of our prominent journals pays the following worthy 
tribute to the late President : 

"When the sun went down on Thursday evening the popular 
belief was as confident as it was general that the President had 
crossed the danger line to the side of safety, and there was a 
universal feeling of felicitation engendered by the medical 
bulletins, which gave assurances of not only the illustrious 
patient's recovery, but of his speedy convalescence and early 
return to his accustomed vigor. 

" The first announcement of the change in the President's 
previously favorable condition was made by his medical advisers 
in their bulletin at 8.30 P. M.., Thursday, although the previous 
one, which was issued at 3 P. M., stating his pulse to be 126, 
gave the better informed few reasons for apprehension. The 8.30 
bulletin was received at too late an hour on Thursday to reach the 
general public, who did not hear of the relapse which the patient 
had suffered until they read the next morning's papers. 

" The shock caused by this intelligence to the country was 
not less, and, we believe, it was even greater^ than that which 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 101 

told of the attempted assassination of the 6tli instant. Althongh 
the medical bulletins had been invariably favorable, it was 
observed, and will be now remembered, that none of them, hopeful 
as all were, gave positive assurances that the President would 
recover from his wounds. But the trend of every statement made 
by his physicians was in the direction which the country wished it to 
be, and as the days went by and the indications improved it came 
to be commonly believed that all danger of an untoward result 
had passed, and that the President would soon be again at his post 
of duty. 

"It was that confident belief so generally entertained which 
rendered Thursday night's report of the President's changed con- 
dition so serious a shock and distress to his countrymen. Since 
he was stricken down the popular mind has been better informed 
as to Mr. McKinley's real character, and as this more accurate 
knowledge respecting him spread abroad, the sympathy of his 
countrymen became the greater and more profound. 

CROWDS WAITING FOR BULLETINS. 

" The truth of this was made apparent yesterday, from early 
morning till a very late hour of the night, by the crowds which 
assembled in front of the newspaper offices and at all points where 
the latest news from the President's bedside could be obtained. 
The public anxiety, concern and sorrow were more generally exhib- 
ited yesterday than at any previous time since the assassin's shots 
were fired. The feeling shown suggested that each and all of the 
President's countrymen felt that they were about to suffer a per- 
sonal sorrow and were confronted by a personal calamity. 

" The people perceive now more clearly than they ever before 
did the simple worth and exalted patriotism of their President. 
Awed by the shadow of death in which he has lain during the 
past week, partisan detraction, rancor and misrepresentation were 
silent, and from all parts of his country, from the organs of all 
parties and factions, earnest tribute has been paid to the Presi- 
dent's virtues, his life and character. 

" Our high appreciation of the kindly, friendly nature of Presi- 



102 GRAND MIUTARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

dent McKinley, his elevated spirit of patriotism, his wish to be 
right and do right, to temper justice with mercy, was expressed in 
this place immediately after the assassin's murderous attack upon 
his life. There is but little to add to that tribute of respect and 
admiration for the nation's Chief Magistrate, who, having served 
it so faithfully in that great ofi&ce, received his fatal wound at his 
post in the discharge of a duty. 

" That they appreciated his devotion to their interests and 
welfare has been clearly and most gratifyingly shown from the 
very hour that he was stricken down, and seldom has popular 
admiration and the affectionate regard of a people for their ruler 
been more commonly or convincingly exhibited than were the 
admiration and regard shown yesterday by the American people 
for their honored ruler. 

A NATIONAL CALAMITY. 

" The demise of a President of the United States is always a 
sad and deplorable event, but when death comes to him at the 
hand of the assassin the event becomes sadder and more deplorable. 
The blow struch at his life is struck at the very vitals of free gov- 
ernment, which makes the ruler the people's first and best found 
choice, and which makes each sovereign citizen his personal de- 
fender. When a blow is struck at the life of the nation's Chief 
Magistrate the whole people feel the hurt of it and suffer the grief 
and pain of its consequences. 

" President McKinley lies dead, and the whole nation mourns 
the death of a ruler, who became, the longer he ruled, more honored 
ana esteemed by his countrymen, who wisely chose him to rule 
over them. He died as he lived, in high faith in God, submissive 
to His awful will, reverently saying with his departing breath t 
'^-\6.^s will, not ours, be done.' 

"The Old World and the New, from sea to sea, 

Utter one voice of sympathy and shame I 
A deed accurst ! Strokes have been struck before 

By the assassin's hand, whereof men doubt 
If more of horror or disgrace they bore ; 

But thy foul crime, like Cain's, stands darkly out** 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 103 

Another leading journal thus eulogizes Mr. McKinley : 
*'The President is dead. No words can add and none can 
speak the loss to a land which for the third time in our day stands 
by the bier of a President slain. Death lifts all to a new light 
and a new place in the hearts of men. Nor less with the great 
man gone. He had all that can come to the sons of men. He 
fought for his land inhis youth. He early won its wide praise. 
He shared through all his mid and active years in its greater 
work. Twice he was called to be its head. 

" This without — and within in that hid life which to all men, 
high or low, is more than all else on earth, he was blessed. 
Barly loved and early wed, through long years, with all they 
brought of joy and grief, and the daily strain of illness for the 
woman who to-day faces life's greatest sorrow, he wore the stain- 
less flower of perfect and undivided love. He died as men both 
brave and good can — his face turned fearless to the great future 
in which he saw and knew the divine love which had guided all 
his days. 

THE WORLD MADE RICHER. 

" The annals of men through all time are the richer for this 
high record of a stainless life and his land is left poor by the loss 
of its first and foremost son. Round the world runs the shadow 
of eclipsing grief as flags drop and the nations feel a common sor- 
row which knows bounds as little as his name and fame. All 
things pass. He with them. But there remains one more 
memory of a good man grown great, dead at the post of duty, to 
breathe hope and give strength to all who, like him, make their 
land the heart's first desire and know that its first high service is 
the good life and pure. He joins the triad of martyred Presidents. 
One slain by rebellion, one by partisan rancor and one by the 
baser passions of corroding env}^ and a hand raised against all 
law, all rule and all government. 

" The spirit of rebellion was buried with lyincoln. The grave 
of Garfield is the perpetual reminder of the risks of party hate. 
It will be the duty of those who live and, in all posts and places, 
in all ranks and work, serve the land he loved and made greater, 



104 GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

to see to It that his death is the end of the creed and speech which 
cost the nation its President. There must be an end in his grave 
of all the envy, malice and hatred of the advance, progress and 
success of men, which is the seed and root of anarchy, and which, 
daily seeks to set citizen against citizen." 

When the news of Lincoln's assassination was filling with 
fear and apprehension a nation just saved from disruption and 
it seemed as if the foundation of society had vanished and the 
pillars of order had fallen it remained for General Garfield to call 
the people back to first principles. 

The memorable speech he made in New York city on that 
April morning in 1865, when Lincoln lay dead from an assassin's 
buiiet, will never be forgotten. Said he to the throng as it 
surged about him, smitten with sorrow, anger and fear : " God 
reigns and the Government at Washington still lives." 

GARFIELD'S IMMORTAL WORDS. 

it was the irony of fate that the man who uttered these 
words should himself be the chief actor in another tragedy that, 
for a moment, almost paralyzed the nation again, and that his 
words should again help to recall it to its senses. " God reigned 
and the Government at Washington still lived." 

A third time the nation is called upon to meet a similar 
crisis. A President beloved beyond the lot of most men lies 
dead by the hand of the assassin, and the nation is a third time 
almost paralyzed by grief and anger. But great and irreparable 
as the loss of William McKinley is, it is well now to remember 
tlie words of General Garfield : "God reigns and the Government 
at Washington still lives." 

No man who knows where history has ranked and placed 
other Presidents can doubt that McKinley will stand among those 
few chiefs of the nation whose life and death close and open an 
epoch. Assassination will give his death the hallowed associa- 
tion of maityrdom, but this alone would not suffice for his future 
place if he had not been called in his administration as President 
'-•^ see the end of one era and the beginning of another. 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 105 

History will remember and record what his day and time 
have often forgotten, that, as with our two greatest Presidents, 
his life was made and molded, not by his personal career, but by 
the nation's development. Washington began life a mere back- 
woods partisan leader in Indian warfare and ended his public life 
the President of a new nation, its face turned toward the conquest 
of a continent. Lincoln, the rail-splitter was early but one of 
the pioneers who first filled the West with freemen and later led 
these freemen to leave no man a slave in the land for which he. 
died. 

So William McKinley had his early and youthful share in 
the sanguinary civil war, establishing a free industrial system, 
When this task was over he shared also in that patient internal 
development of national resources of protection, education, and 
honest mon^y, which ended in the overflowing foreign trade of 
the past six years, and that miracle and marvel of expansion 
when the Republic first set its victorious feet on lands beyond 

the sea. 

CROWN OF HIS LIFE ^A^ORK. 

The lofty speech delivered the day before he was shot, the 
unconscious blessing and prophecy of a leader of his people spoken 
as the shadow of death drew near on the dial, was the crown, cul 
mination and completion of his life work. He was barely a voter 
when he laid down the military commission of the nation to accept 
the first civil commission of his neighbors. By his early training, 
by temperament, by the industries of his district and the political 
geography which put him on the dividing line between the East 
and the West, he was set apart to the work of directing, defending, 
conserving and consolidating the nation's growth and progress in 
the appointed path of national development. 

On all questions and issues he, beyond his contemporaries, 
united a knowledge of the convictions of the Bast and the needs 
and demands of the West. On protection he stood alike for the 
manufacturer and the farmer. On the currency he labored steadily 
to prevent a division between the sound money vote East and West 
which would have periled all, and whatever criticism of his conr.^c 



I0<^ GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 

the hour may have bred, history and the issue have alike justified 
his policy and position. 

In all these things and at every juncture he displayed tlie 
saving sense of success. The day never came when he was not 
more clearly and closely aware than any contemporary of the de- 
sires, the purpose and the wish of the great body of his fellow-, 
citizens. He knew them. They trusted him. His confidence in 
free institutions and in the prescient sagacity of the American 
voter never wavered. No man in our day was so near the people. 
No man so reflected the cheerful optimism, the good-humored 
courage, the hopeful opportunism and the resolute determination 
and industry of the average American as he. This personal en- 
dowment, experience and insight gave him a power, clearer in the 
last ten years than ever before, of speaking level to the compre- 
hension, direct to the hearts and straight to the conviction of his 
fellow-countrymen. No man in our recent day has so influenced 
their opinion. 

READY FOR EVERY GREAT DEMAND. 

When the great service of his life and the crowning crisis of 
is career came and war had brought new duties and unforeseen 
responsibilities he was ready. He knew the secret heart and 
inner purpose of the land he ruled and the people he loved. 
Resolutely, without haste but without hesitation, he led the 
nation to its new place among the nations of the earth. He 
accepted the responsibility of momentous advance in the world 
relations of the United States. He neither spurned precedent 
nor was he spurred by novelty. He saw, as history will see in 
the greater acts of his administration, the unfolding of a past 
which made the present necessary and inevitable. 

In this great, unforeseen and successful task the purity of 
his character, his visible loyalty to American ideals, his power in 
winning opposition, his sincerity, the charm of his personality and 
his unaffected regard and love for all his fellow-citizens, enabled 
him to carry the people with him and with his view of national 
fluty, without regard to section or party. 



GRAND MILITARY AND CIVIL RECORD. 107 

He had borne his share of detraction. He had known what 
it w,iS to be wilfully traduced and to face partisan rancor. To 
all his fellow-citizens, the last fond tribute laid on his bier was 
the precious consciousness that he had outlived and overlived all 
this. He died loved by all, and knowing that he was loved by 
ail that the Union which he had fought as a boy to save he, 
more than any other President, had made a " more perfect Union " 
of tlie hearts of the American people. 



CHAPTER V. 

Incidents in President McKinley's Career— Gallant Exploits 
on the Field of Battle — Daring Feat at Antietam— 
1 Always True to His Pledge. 

PHH boy, who afterward became President, was originally in- 
' tended for the ministry, and it was said that his mother confi- 
dently looked forward to his becoming a bishop. Probably he would 
have realized her ambition had not fate willed that he should 
become a lawyer. He received his first education at the public 
schools of Niles. When he was nine years old the family 
removed to Poland, Ohio, a place noted in the State for its educa- 
tional advantages. 

Here William was placed in Union Seminary, where he pur- 
sued his studies until he was seventeen, when he entered the 
junior class, and could easily have graduated the next year, but 
'hat unremitting application to study undermined his health, and 
he was forced to return home. At these institutions he had been 
especially proficient in mathematics and the languages, and was 
acknowledged to be the best debater in the literary societies. He 
had early manifested strong religious traits, had joined the 
Methodist Church at the age of sixteen and had been notably 
'liligent in Scriptural study. 

As soon as he sufficiently recovered his health he became a 
teacher in the public schools in the Kerr district, near Poland. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a clerk in the Poland 
post office. At a war meeting convened in the Sparrow tavern 
he was one of a number of boys who was so fired by the 
patriotic enthusiasm of the occasion that they promptly stepped 
forward and enrolled their names as intended volunteers in the 
Union army. 

Proceeding with them to Columbus, William McKinley en^ 
listed as a private in Company E, of the Twenty-third Ohio 

108 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. I09 

Volunteer Infantry, June 11, 1861. This company was destined 

to become one of the most famous in the war. Its field arid staff 

included William S. Rosecraiis, Rutherford B. Hayes, Stanley 

Matthews and others who aftei A^ard achieved eminence in military 

or civil life. It was engaged ^ a nineteen battles and of its tota i 

rank and file of 2,095 men, i( ^ were killed in battle and 107 died 

of wounds or disease. Des ite the hardships, privations aud 

perils to which he was expos d, his constitution gained in health 

and strength during his foui years' service. He participated in 

all the early engagements h West Virginia. 

His first promotion, to -commissary sergeant, occurred April 

15, 1862. As Rutherford 6. Hayes afterward said: "We soon 

found that in business and executive ability he was of rare 

capacity, of unusual and unsurpassing capacity, for a boy of his 

ag^. When battles were fought, or a service was to be performed 

in warlike things, he always took his place. When I became 

commander of the regiment, he soon came to be on my staff, and 

he remained on my staff for one or two years, so that I did, 

literally and in fact, know him like a book and love him like a 

brother," 

HOT WORK AT ANTIETAM. 

The company was with McClellan when they drove the 
enemy out of Frederick, Md., and, on September J4th and 17th, 
engaged them at South Mountain and at Antietam. In the latter 
battle Sergeant McKinley, in charge of the commissary depart- 
ment of his brigade, performed a notable deed of daring at the 
crisis of the battle, when it was uncertain which way victory 
would turn. McKinley fitted two wagons with necessary sup- 
plies and drove them through a storm of shells and bullets to the 
assistance of his hungry and thirsty fellow soldiers. The mules 
of one wagon were disabled, but McKinley drove the other 
safely through and was received with hearty cheers. " From 
Sergeant McKinley's hand," said President Hayes, " every man 
in the regiment was served with hot coffee and warm meats, a 
thing which had never occurred under similar circumstances m 
aay otls.er &rmj in tlie world" 



no INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 

For this feat he was promoted to lieutenant, September 24, 
1862. 

A greater exploit was that which he performed at the battle 
of Kernstown, near Winchester, July 24, 1864, when he rode his 
horse, on a forlorn hope, through a fierce Confederate fire, to 
carry Hayes' orders to Colonel William Brown, and thus extri- 
cated that officer's command, the Thirteenth West Virginia, from 
a perilous position. 

On July 25th following he was promoted to be captain, and 
on March 14, 1865, received from the President a document which 
he valued above all the other papers in his possession. This was 
a commission as major by brevet in the Volunteer United States 
Army " for gallant and meritorious services at the battles of 
Opequan, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill," signed "A. Lincoln." 
This was just a month before the assassination of the latter. On 
June 26, 1865, he was mustered out with his regiment, and re- 
turned to Poland, with the record of having been present and 
active in every engagement in which his regiment had partici- 
pated, and in performing with valor and judgment every duty 
assigned to him. 

ADMITTED TO THE BAR. 

He at once began the study of the law, first in the office of 
Glidden & Wilson, at Youngstown, Ohio, and afterward at the 
Law School in Albany, N. Y. In March, 1867, he was admitted 
to the bar at Warren, Ohio. He settled at Canton, which ever 
afterward was his home, and soon attracted attention as a 
lawyer of diligence, sobriety and eloquence. Though the 
county was strongly Democratic, and he was an uncompromis- 
ing Republican, he was elected one term as prosecuting attorney. 
He threw himself into every political campaign with all the 
energy of his nature, and his services were so highly valued that 
he spoke more frequently in his county and district than even 
the principal candidates on the ticket. When Rutherford B. Hayes 
ran for the Governorship of Ohio, against the Greenback candi- 
date, Allen, McKinley was an eloquent and passionate advocate 
"i honest money and resumption 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLl-.Y. Ill 

Meanwhile, in 187 1, lie liad married Miss Ida Saxton, a 
leading belle of Poland, Ohio. It was a love niatcli in its incep- 
tion ; it remained a tender and beantifnl idyl to the very end. 
Indeed, no pnblic man was ever a nobler exponent of all the 
domestic virtnes than McKinley. His mother worshipped him, 
his wife i^iv^lized him. 

It was in 1876 that he annonnced himself a candidate for 
Congress. The sitting Representative, L. D. Woodworth, with 
Judge Frease, and other prominent Republicans, three of them 
from his own county, were his opponents for the nomination. 

The Stark County delegates to the Congressional Conven- 
tion were elected by a popular vote. McKinley carried every 
township in the county but one, and that had but a single 
delegate. In the other counties he was almost equally success- 
ful, and the primaries gave him a majority of the delegates in 
the district. He was nominated on the first ballot over all the 
other candidates. 

OLD POLITICIANS ASTONISHED. 

This sudden rise into prominence and popularity naturall}- 
gave the old politicians a shock. Here was a new and unknown 
factor in the politics of "the district. He had been accorded an 
opportunity which to them had seemed hopeless, had accepted 
and won recognition. It was soon discovered that he had not 
onl}^ come into the politics of the district, but that he had come 
to stay. For fourteen years after this event he represented the 
district of which Stark county was a part ; not the same district, 
for the Democrats did not relish the prominent part he was 
playing in Congress, and gerrymandered him three times, the 
last time (in 1890) successfully. 

The first attempt to change his district was made as early as 
1878 by the Democrats, who, by gerrymandering the county, put 
him into a district that had 1,800 Democratic majority. McKin- 
ley carried it by 1,300 votes. In 1882 he had another narrow 
escape. It will be recalled that 1882 was a bad year for Republics '^^ 
The New York State Convention resented President Arthur usm^ 



112 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY 

his influence to nominate his Secretary of the Treasury, Judge 
Folger, for the Governorship of that State. The party was also 
torn up in Pennsylvania. Grover Cleveland was elected Gover- 
nor over Judge Folger by a tremendous majority, and General 
Beaver was defeated in Pennsylvania by a then comparatively 
unknown man, Governor Pattison. That year McKinley's origi- 
nal district had been restored, and he was seeking a " third term," 
something not accorded its Representatives. He had strong 
opposition for the nomination, some of it rankling until the elec- 
tion, and that, with the popular discontent temporarily prevailing, 
brought his majority down to eight votes. 

Mr. McKinley's congressional career was marked by indus- 
try and executive ability. He early showed that he was a pro- 
nounced protectionist of an extreme sort. In the theories of 
Alexander Hamilton and Henry Clay, whicb to those statesmen 
seemed fitted only to temporary conditions, Mr. McKinley in 
those days seemed to read a permanent policy in which American 
prosperity was indissolubly involved. 

UNDERSTOOD THE SUBJECT. 

He had faithfully pursued a course of study in political 
economy which had stored his retentive memory with, facts and 
figures bearing upon the protectionist side of the question. These 
bare bones he reclothed with palpitating flesh, in a spirit of truly 
altruistic and partistic pride, and in the firm belief that he was 
benefitting alike his fellow citizens and their common country. 
His utter sincerity, the charm and dignity of his manner, the 
apparent logical weight of his arguments and the simplicity with 
which they were worded captured his audiences not only on the 
stump, but in Congress, 

His unfailing courtesy won him friends even among those 
whom he could not convert. A signal instance happened on May 
i8, 1888, when he yielded his place on the floor of the House to 
allow the moribund Samuel J. Randall to conclude a speech inter- 
rupted by the call of time. 

When, as a member of the Republican National Presidential 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 118 

Convention of 1884, lie was placed on the Committee of Platform, 
it was lie that was selected to draft tlie tariff planks. He went 
to the Convention as a Blaine man. Foraker fonght desperately 
for Sherman. After the third ballot had been taken, and the hall 
was in confusion, with the Sherman forces clamoring for adjourn- 
ment, McKinley arose, and in a short speech rallied the Blaine 
men, beat the eifort to suspend and so helped materially in the 
selecting of his candidate on the next ballot. 

He emerged from this convention with a national reputation. 
In the convention four 3^ears later he was a marked man. He 
was now pledged to Sherman. But, as in 18S4, it soon developed 
that the nomination for Sherman was impossible. A compromise 
candidate seemed inevitable. 

LOUD CHEERS FOR M'KINLEY. 

There were whispers of disloyalty even in the Ohio delega- 
tion. Rumor was busy with McKinley' s name. The night 
before the balloting began he made the round of States' head- 
quarters and earnestly pleaded, even with tears in his eyes, that 
none of the delegates should vote for him. Next day, on the 
sixth ballot, a Cincinnati delegate disregarded this plea. He 
cast his vote for McKinley. There were resounding cheers 
throughout the hall. The next State on the roll cast sixteen 
votes for McKinle3\ The cheers were renewed with greater 
volume. It looked as if the scene of Garfield's nomination in 
1880 were to be repeated, and that the convention would be 
stampeded for McKinley. Instantly Mr. McKinley leaped to his 
feet. He made an impassioned appeal. He reminded the con- 
vention that he was pledged to John Sherman. 

" I do not request, I demand," he concluded,. " that no delegate 
who would not cast reflection upon me shall cast a ballot for me," 

He was too evidently in earnest not to be accepted at his 
word. That speech turned the tide to Harrison, who was selected 
on the seventh ballot. 

Some one told him aftenvard that he had done as noble a 
thing as ever had been known in politics. 

8 McK 



114 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 

" Is it, then, so lionorable," was Mr. McKinley's comment, 
"to refrain from a dislionorable deed ? " 

At the organization of the Fifty-first Congress Mr. McKinley 
was a candidate for Speaker, bnt, though strongly supported, he 
was defeated in caucus by Thomas B. Reed. Appointed Chairman 
of the Wa3^s and Means Committee, he became the leader of the 
House under circumstances of peculiar dif&culty, for his party had 
only a nominal majority, and the opposition assumed a policy of 
obstruction. It was during this Congress that he made his most 
notable speeches on the tariff question, and, on April i6, 1890, he 
introduced the general tariff measure which has since borne his 
name. The bill passed the House, and after protracted and stormy 
debates and repeated amendments was signed by the President, 
October 6, 1890. 

CRY FOR TARIFF REFORM. 

This was just before the general elections, when the Repub- 
licans were defeated, a^s had been generally expected. The 
McKinley bill, which had proved unpopular with the country at 
large, was held to be one of the elements of the Republican defeat. 
Cleveland's announced policy of tariff reform had chimed in with 
the popular mood. Mr. McKinley's own district, which had been 
fiercely contested, was carried against him. Thereupon a popular 
movement arose in Ohio for his nomination as Governor. It 
gathered such strength that the Republican convention in June of 
the next 3^ear nominated him by acclamation. He was elected 
and, in 1893, was re-elected. 

Even before the National Convention of 1892 McKinley had 
expressed himself in favor of the renomination of President Har- 
rison. He went there a Harrison delegate. Again he was elected 
chairman and again an attempt was made to nominate him over 
Harrison and Blaine. He pursued the same course as in the prior 
convention. By a masterful speech from the platform he arrested 
the movement in his favor and turned the tide tov%^ard the man to 
whom^ he was pledged. In the campaign which followed he was 
one of the most unwearied and effective of the orators who stumped 
the country for Harrison. 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 118 

*^ It was no fault of liis that the fight was lost, save that the 
unpopularity of the " McKinley bill " was one of the factors which 
made for defeat. 

In the State elections of 1894 he made a remarkable record 
as a campaign speaker. He not only stumped his own State, but 
made a tour through the West, and in a series of speeches through 
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, 
Indiana and Michigan was greeted by enormous crowds. He began 
his speeches at dawn, and often spoke a dozen times a day from 
the car of his special train, from the adjacent platforms, or in the 
largest halls in the chief cities along his route. On undertaking 
the journey he had agreed to make forty-six speeches. He made, 
in fact, 371 speeches in 300 towns. It was estimated that he had 
travelled over sixteen thousand miles and addressed over two 
million persons. At every point visited his party achieved enor- 
mous success at the ensuing elections, the popular branch of Con- 
gress, largely through his impetus, being carried by more than 
two-thirds majority. 

THOUGHT OF THE COUNTRY FIXED ON HIM. 

On the expiration of his term as Governor he retired to his 
home at Canton. He was universally looked upon as the Repub- 
lican banner bearer in the next Presidential campaign. As the 
time drew nigh for the convention to meet, State after State and 
district after district declared for him. The Democratic party 
had been torn by the rise of the free silver heres}^, which demanded 
the free coinage of silver at 16 to i as the necessary condition to 
the return of financial prosperity in the country. 

The Republican party was to a much lesser degree affected 
by it. Nevertheless, Mr. McKinley chose to observe the policy 
of silence. Though frequently importuned for his views on the 
silver question, it was not until the Republican National Con- 
vention, on June 18, 1896, had, on the first ballot, nominated him 
for the Presidency, on a gold platform, that he openly avowed 
himself the leader of the sound money forces. 

On July 10 following the threatened split in the Democratic 



m INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKlNLEY. 

partj'' was precipitated by tlie nomination at fhe Democratic 
National Convention, held at Chicago, of William J. Bryan, on a 
platform advocating the free coinage of silver. A large number 
of the most prominent Democrats in the country, and especially 
in the Eastern States, supported by a number of the most influen- 
tial Democratic papers and voters, all of whom were in favor of 
the gold standard, refused to accept the nomination of Bryan. A 
majority went over to McKinley, but an influential minority 
gathered togethei under the name of the National Democratic 
Part}^ held a convention at Indianapolis on September 2 and 3, 
and nominated as their standard bearers General John M. Palmer, 
of Illinois, and Simon B. Buckner, of Kentucky. 

It V7as generally understood that this convention and nomi- 
nation were simpl3r to enable the anti-silver Democrats who were 
opposed to the Chicago platform, and nevertheless could not 
make up their minds to vote for a Republican President, the 
chance to express their disapproval at the polls. The movement 
undoubtedly was of assistance to McKinley. 

A CAMPAIGN FIERCELY FOUGHT. 

The McKinley-Bryan campaign of 1896 was one of the most 
fiercely contested in the history of the Presidential elections. It 
was fought on the battleground of principle. There v^^as none 
of the "mud throwing" which tarnished the record of other 
furious party engagements. Both candidates were acknowledged 
to be of unsullied personal character. 

The silver question was practically the only issue before 
the country, but the interests it involved were so tremendous, the 
revolution it caused in political demarcations so unusual, that the 
emotions and passions of the voters were stirred to fever heat. 
The result proved overwelmingly in favor of McKinley. He was 
elected to the Presidency by an electoral majority of 95 votes and 
a popular plurality of 601,854. 

It was Mr. McKinley's good or bad fortune to assume the 
helm of government at a momentous, and what seemed like a 
perilous crisis in the national life ; it was his good fortune to 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 117 

guide the Ship of State to a peaceful haven. It is too early now, 
it must be left to the historian of the future, to decide accurately 
how far the triumph was due to the sagacity of the helmsman, 
how far to the enormous advantages which were inherent in the 
vessel he managed. 

Two things are certain. First, the result of the war with 
Spain startled all civilized nations and announced that here in 
the Western hemisphere had arisen a new pov/er with whom those 
nations must reckon in future. Second, the conduct of Mr. 
McKinley before, during and after the war, and the policies he had 
inaugurated toward our new possessions met with the approval of 
a large majority of his fellow citizens. 

TRIBUTE FROM AMBASSADOR YOUNG. 

When William McKinley was first named for the Presidency 
by the Republican National Convention in St. Louis on June i8, 
1896, he was at his home in Canton, Ohio. With him was John Rus- 
sell Young, our late Ambassador to China, who wrote the follow- 
ing story of the man who was destined to become one of the 
country's martyrs, and of his home life : 

"It has been my privilege to take part in a ceremony that 
should live in history with the recent coronation of the Czar, of 
which so much has been written with brilliancy and color. In 
Moscow all the nations participated in the tendering of the crov/n 
to the monarch of an empire; the pageant is known to you all. In 
Canton I have this afternoon witnessed the tender of a crown even 
more lustrous than that of the Czar, involving, as seems to be the 
will of Providence, the President of the United States. 

" The sun rested heavily on Canton all day. The town was 
in an uneasy, restless condition. The one thought was McKinley. 
The Major, from being an established and prosperous industry, 
had become a mania. The people walked about in a state of 
repression. There was no politics in their concern, for at Canton 
McKinley is not a political issue. A bright-eyed newsdealer 
develops a stately esteem for the Major, whose nomination among 
50 many other things would be such a blessing to the town. 



118 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 

*' It must be a trial to have the eyes of the world turned upon 
you, and this, to modest Canton, resting here upon the smiling, 
sheltered plains, with her all too marvelous industries and such 
an amount of as yet unexplained progress over which to rejoice, 
to suddenly become the centre of the world's eyes is a sore trial. 
And you v\'ent about the wholesome, contented and well shaded 
town, whose streets would put many an older town to blush, feel- 
ing that the air was charged with cyclonic influences and not 
knowing what the day might bring forth. Tlie Alajor was in his 
pretty little home, twirling his eye-glasses and receiving friends 
with exquisite courtesy. Not a taciturn, but assuredly not a talk- 
ative man. 

"The only change in him that I could note upon this day of 
his destiny was that he seemed a little better dressed than usual, 
a kind of wedding-day touch in his raiment. A soft breeze sv/ept 
around the piazza and the sun kept watch and ward ; now and 
then a fervent Cantonese would stop and pause and look at his 
home in wonder. Occasionally one more daring would approach 
the piazza to say that he was on the road ; that he had come from 
Akron, Alliance or Cleveland, and that the boys were onlv able by 
medical advice to hold themselves in, but as soon as the news 
came Ohio would glow with carmine and fire. 

THE OLD COMRADE. 

" Now and then a veteran would hobble up, and if a little 
hazy in speech and gait, what matter ? He only wanted to ex- 
plain that he belonged to such a regiment, and if he did not have a 
bullet he had a ballot and would send it home as in the old days. 
This is the home to which the Governor brought his bride. Here 
his children came to him, and from here God took them away, for 
he is a childless man. Therefore it is a home with sacred memories. 

" One could not but recall the Moscow coronation as he 
stepped into the modest library. You notice that perhaps the 
roller desk is closed. In one corner is a long-distance telephone. 
A bright-eyed youth, with a flush of auburn hair, whom every 
one calls 'Sam,' has the telephone in charge. The person at the 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 119 

other end of tlie wire is apparently a cousin, as Sam's outside com- 
munications have a domestic bearing. It is the room of the busy 
man with many books — the kind of books, as you note by their 
character, which a busy man cares to have near him ; the library 
of the student w^ho means to know what he must know in five 
minutes. 

" It is a small company, mainly old friends, classmates, fel- 
low soldiers, in a state of tremor and anxiety as they come to wit- 
ness this crowning honor to a comrade. Just across the hall 
several ladies have assembled, and you hear the soft echoes of 
merry talk. Mrs. McKinley has a few friends to share with her 
the emotions and joys of the day. About one, the venerable 
mother arrived, just in time for the luncheon, and as she pauses 
to greet friends you note the radiant, soft, almost triumphant 
smile which shows the compensation and peace that rests upon 

her soul. 

CALMLY AWAITING THE NEWS. 

" The cynosure of seventy millions of Americans sits in an 
easy chair, holding his eyeglasses, apparently the most uncon- 
cerned person in the room. The piazza is crowded with the 
neighbors and newspaper gentlemen. The convention is on and 
messages come to him over the telegraph and the telephone. 
' Sam,' at his telephone, is anxious that the telegraph shall not 
beat him, and is pleased when the secretary reads fiom the yel- 
low slip what he had announced a minute before. The news 
reports are brought in on typewritten sheets and read aloud. 
Occasionally there comes a private telegram, which the ]\Iajor 
puts on a file and goes on twirling his glasses. 

"Apart from the wedding-day look of his clothes and just a little 
closer compression of his lips and a touch of pallor on the fore- 
head, the Major shows no care. He looks after his guests, quick 
to every suggestion of hospitality. You must have a chair, or, if 
you care to follow the ballots, he will hand you a form, or perhaps 
a glass of water would be refreshing— a quick, observant eye as 
to the details of hospitality. 

"There are pauses, not much talk, rather the eyeglass twirl, 



laO INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY, 

"bits of innocent, but especially valuable, conversation tbrown in 
now and then, but ratber a tendency to silence, all tbougbts bent 
on St. Louis and every ear listening to the telegraph tick. 

"The news came minute by minute. Every stage of the 
St. Louis pageant was made clear. We heard the fight over the 
platform, retirement of the silver men, and finally the order to 
call the roll of the States. We hear of the speeches. Lodge is 
now on his feet. Depew has taken the floor for Morton. He has 
called the receding silver delegates erring sisters, at which there 
is a smile over the room. Allison has been presented, and then 
Foraker comes, bringing with him the McKinley crash. Some 
of us walked over to the telephone and heard the roar of the 
multitude hundreds of miles away, the noise, the shouting, the 
music and the singing of the songs. 

PROLONGED ENTHUSIASM. 

" 'Sam', at the telephone was rather impatient over this 
enthusiasm — his one affair that the convention should nominate 
McKinley. The tedium w^as broken by ripples of talk, remem- 
brances of famous scenes in other conventions, when Lincoln 
defeated Seward, the tremendous struggle between Blaine and 
Grant and the similar incidents in Minneapolis. It was remem- 
bered that the usual duration of these convention blizzards was 
about half an hour, and watches were taken out to note how long 
the hurly-burly would last. 

"There is an end to everything, even a convention blizzard, 
and in time we heard, with a sigh of relief, that the storm had 
gone down, and that the States were to be called. 

" There were pauses when some of the votes were challenged, 
but little conversation. I asked the Governor during the pause 
when New York was being called whether votes thus far had 
reached his estimate. ' Rather exceeds it,' he answered, when one 
of the company who had been keeping the tally ventured the pre- 
diction that when the votes of Ohio were reached there would be 
votes sufficient to nominate the Governor. Another dwelt upon 
the poetic fitness of the nomination being made by McKinley's 



iNCIDE^rrS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. ai 

own State. There were observations arising out of the incident, 
but the Governor said nothing, looking over the list and awaiting 
the announcement that the ballot was proceeding. Finally Ohio 
cast her forty-six votes, Pennsylvania following, and it was done. 

" There was just a faint touch of color on the face of McKin- 
ley as some friends spoke a word of congratulation to him on this 
the moment of his career. He talked of some personal matters of 
minor import ; showed no emotion and expressed no feeling, bul. 
when Pennsylvania was passed calmly took up his convention 
form and continued to note the vote. 

" But in the meantime the gun was fired, the bells were rung 
and Canton knew that the bolt had at last come out of the heavens, 
and all of the town turned out. So I came from the Governor's 
house. The streets swarmed with people — men, women, children, 
all rushing in a double-quick to the McKinley home, everybody 
smiling and many cheering. The crowd was so large that it was 
necessary to v/alk in the street. 

FLAGS, DRUMS AND LOUD CHEERS. 

*' Steam whistles were blowing, the houses blossomed with 
flags, drums were beating, every breast bloomed with a McKinley 
favor, the stores were closed, clubs began to march, the members 
shouting and crying ' McKinley comes.' It is a beautiful sum- 
mer night as I write, and the town is in revelry, cannon firing, 
fireworks, horns blowing, the air filled with smoke and noise. 
Canton will long remember this day. St. Louis has crowned her 
eminent citizen a czar, and enthusiasm in every form, question- 
able or otherwise, rules the hour." 

In commenting on the death of the President, a prominent 
newspaper supplies us with the following very appreciative esti- 
mate of his character : 

" Life's work well done ; 
Life's race well run ; 
Life's crown well won ; 
Now comes rest 

'* Both the expected and the unexpected have happened. The 



122 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 

expectation of recovery was born of our hope, of tlie almost cer- 
tainty that so dire a calamity could not blight a period of such 
prosperit3^ And yet when that shot was fired, which was ' heard 
round the world,' the whole nation trembled for the safety of its 
President, and the heartbeats of the people were mingled with 
sobs of unrestrained sorrow. 

*' Mr. McKinley in his official capacity represented more that 
is dear to human progress than any other personage or any 
potentate on the planet. He, morever, illustrated in his own 
career the grandeur of those multiform and inspiring opportu- 
nities which the genius of our government offers to every child 
cradled within the limits of our domain. His early poverty did 
not stand in the way of his later preferment. He expanded the 
circle of his narrow circumstances by the faithful performance of 
every duty that fell to his lot, until at last it embraced the good 
will and confidence of a whole people, who gladly thrust upon 
him the high honors and responsibilities of their Chief Execu- 
tive. Whether as a school teacher in his youth, or as a private 
in the Civil War, where he won promotion by earnest fidelity as 
well as by deeds of daring, or later on in the Governor's chair or 
on the floor of Congress, he showed the qualities which men first 
iearn to envy and then to admire. 

TRUE TO GOD AND COUNTRY. 

•'He had but one rule, to be true to his God, his country and 
his own ideal of a noble character, and if as a consequence he won 
renown it was because he deserved it. We may have differed 
with him as to his political theories, we may have thrown the 
whole strength of logic and argument into the opposition, but at 
this moment, when death has opened the door across whose 
mysterious threshold he has passed into eternity and into history, 
we think of him not as a partisan but as a man, and gladly give 
the meed of praise which is his due. 

'' There is no politics in the chamber wherein rests the bier. 
When death has made good its claim on mortality we are in no 
mood to speak of aught else than the character, the motives, the 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 123 

virtues of tlie departed, and under this impulse the wliole 
American people bow their heads in the presence of a national 

bereavement. r i r i r -u- 

<' Mr. McKinley was a hard and successful fighter tor his 
party a brave soldier when volunteers were sought for a dangerous 
e-pe^'it^-on a most intrepid debater when his personal convictions 
were invol'ved, and so honorable that on at least two occasions, 
when the nomination for the Presidency was withm easy reach, 
he turned the tide from himself in favor of the candidate to whom 
he had pledged his personal influence. That he had the ambition 
of office is not to be denied, but that he would not accept office 
unless he could do so with an unsullied conscience is a tact ot 
which his friends and the whole nation may well be proud, while 
his political opponents and rivals admire the fidelity which it is 
hard to imitate. 

CHARACTER BUILT ON PRINCIPLE. 

<' Mr McKinley has shown by his life that there are but few 

thino-s which last-a character which is built on moral principle, 

an ambition which seeks the good of the country and a religion 

which can rob the passage from the present to the future of all 

""'^The day following Mr. McKinley's death, another journal 
paid him this well-merited tribute : _ 

*'Even as a wave of astonishment accompanied the tide ot 
horror that was spread over the land by the assassin's blow at the 
life of the President, so there is now a shock of surprise mingled 
with the grief which bows the American people. ^^^/^^^ ^^^^ 
the stricken Chief Magistrate's bedside from almost the firs had 
been so steadily encouraging, that fear of a fatal result was all but 
banished. Dread gave place not merely to hope, but to nearly 
perfect confidence in his recovery. , r i 

"The doctors were unanimous in signing the cheerful re- 
ports issued up to midnight on Thursday, and -}-tives and 
personal friends, who were kept privately informed of the condi- 
tions exceeded the official bulletins in their assurances to the 



124 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 

public that the President would live. The republic was prepar- 
ing for a heartfelt thangksgiving such as has not occurred since 
Lee surrendered at Appomatox. The suddenness of the blow 
makes it all the harder to bear. Rej oicing has been so swiftly 
turned into mourning that the revulsion of feeling stuns the 
nation. 

" He is gone, and for the people, whose freely chosen chief 
servant he was, there remains in this hour only grief that cannot 
be given expression with tongue or pen, since language fails, in 
the presence of a tragedy so causeless, so pathetic, so hideous. 
Blameless in his private life, a man so kindly, so richly endowed 
with the capacity for inspiring friendship, so filled with good will 
toward others that even his political opponents responded with 
good will in their turn — a warm-hearted, cordial. Christian gentle- 
man, William McKinley was without personal enemies, and it 
seemed unthinkable that even madness itself could wish him 

harm. 

MISCREANT OR MANIAC? 

" Yet in the flower of his usefulness this good man has been 
cut down by an assassin. The wretch does not plead what is 
understood in America as a political motive. The President's 
policies had critics in plenty, fellow-countrymen of the party in 
antagonisim to his, and not a few in his own party. But the 
miscreant or maniac who took his life pretends to no sympathy 
with the views of these critics. Though his victim was the 
elected Chief Magistrate of a self-governing republic, limited in 
his power by the Constitution and the laws, and the supreme 
antithesis of a hereditary and absolute monarch, the assassin 
selected him as the representative of despotism. 

"It would be a satisfaction had this creature come to us from 
some remote and poisonous quarter of darkest Europe, where 
anarchy is bred by tyranny, but we have to face the strange and 
humiliating fact that he was born and reared among ourselves, 
though his mind, whether it be sane or diseased, is as little 
American in its workings as if he had never wandered beyond 
the confines of a Polish commune. The assassin is himself as 



INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF McKINLEY. 125 

unexpected, as amazing, as Bis act was liorrible and astounding. 
But sucli as tHe wretch is — debased, abnormal, petty and gro- 
tesque — it was in his power to slaughter greatness and wrap a 
nation in black. For a crime so tremendous human law has no 
penalty that does not impress with its immeasurable inadequacy. 
" While his countrymen stand about the bier of the murdered 
President sorrow's must be the one voice heard. The President 
has fallen, but the republic is unharmed. The tasks left unfin- 
ished by William McKinley will be taken up by the hands of 
him whom the laws, equal to every emergenc}^ of State, appoint 
to fill the place so awfully, so bloodily made vacant. Amid the 
nation's grief, amid the tears for the man and the Magistrate 
taken from us by so foul and unnatural a crime, there comes to 
every American out of the past the voice of another victim of an 
assassin's bullet, who, when men were turned distraught by 
"Lincoln's death, cried to them : 

'God reigns, and the government at Washington still lives I' " 



« ii 



CHAPTER Vi. 

Mr. McKinley's Commanding Influence in Congress — Famous 
Author of the Tariff Bill Bearing His Name — His Notable 
Career as Governor of Ohio— First Term as President — 
His Home Life and Personality. 

nrO tell the stor}^ of McKinley's seven terms in Congress would 
-■■ be to tell the history of that body and of the nation for four- 
teen years. From the beginning he was an active and conspicuous 
member of the House. He was an American, and he reckoned 
nothing that concerned Americans to be unworth}^ of his notice. 
He recognized, however, that in view of the vast development, 
extension and multiplication of human interests there was little 
hope for success as a universal genius. A man must be a special- 
ist if he would attain the greatest eminence and the greatest use- 
fulness. Already, indeed, he had devoted his attention especially 
to the subject of the tariff and its bearings upon American industry. 
The story is told that soon after he opened his law of&ce at 
Canton, while he w^as as yet an untrained youth, he was drawn 
into a debate upon that subject. Pitted against him was a trained, 
shrewd and experienced lav/yer, who had at his tongue's end all 
the specious sophistries of free trade. The older aud more expert 
debater won a seeming victory, but McKinley, though silenced for 
a time, was not convinced. " No one will ever overcome me again 
in that way," he said to a companion. " I know I am right and I 
know that I can prove it." Thenceforth the study of books and 
men and conditions of industry to attain that end was the chief 
labor of his life. 

The first speech he made in Congress was on the subject of 
the tariff, and, as already stated, was in opposition to the non- 
protective bill introduced by Fernando Wood, of New York, in 
1878. That speech made a marked impression upon the House 
and the nation, and thenceforth its author was looked to in every 
tariff debate to be one of the chief upholders of protection. An 

126 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 127 

incident related by Judge Kelley, member of Congress from Penn. 
sylvania, in bis eulogy upon Dudley C. Haskell, sbows how 
effectively McKinley answered this expectation. It was when 
tbe famous Mills bill was before tbe House. Kelley was to open 
the debate on the Republican side and McKinley was to close it. 
Haskell, who was a member of the Waj^s and Means Committee, 
and a particularly strong debater, desired the honor of closing 
the debate, and asked Judge Kelley to persuade McKinley to 
give way to him. 

The Judge went to McKinley and repeated Haskell's request. 
McKinley readily consented, saying that he did not care in what 
order he spoke. So it happened that McKinley was the fourth 
or fifth speaker and Haskell was to talk last. At the conclusion 
of McKinley's speech, a number of the members crowded around 
to congratulate him. Foremost among them was Haskell, who 
seized McKinley's hand enthusiastically, exclaiming: "Major, I 
shall speak last ; but you, sir, have closed the debate." 

AN AUTHORITY ON TARIFF QUESTIONS. 

With such years of preparation Major McKinley was uni- 
versally recognized as the one man of all best qualified to frame 
a new tariff law, which it seemed desirable to enact when the 
Republicans resumed full control of the Government in 1889. 
He was appointed Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, 
and presently gave to the nation the great measure which bears 
his name. Of his work, in connection with it, he spoke modestly. 
"I was Chairman of the Committee," he said, " and I performed 
my duties as best I could. That is all. Some of the strongest 
men in Congress were on the Committee, and the eight of us 
heard everybod}^ considered everything, and made up the best 
tariff law we knew how to frame." Envious rivals and unscru- 
pulous foes have sought to belittle his fame by declaring that it 
was not his bill at all, that it was really framed by others, and 
that his connection with it was purely accidental. 

To no intelligent reader of the history of the time can it be 
necessary to spend much space in refuting that stupid calumny. 



128 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILI. 

McKinley was tlie autlior and finislier of that bill. He conceived 
its general principles. He gave countless days and nights of 
study and of toil to the elaboration of its details. By his unsur- 
passed leadership he secured its adoption by the House without 
resorting to a party caucus— an unprecedented achievement. He 
bore the brunt of the hostile criticism which was heaped upon 
the law by the free traders of Great Britain. To him, and to 
him alone, are due the honor and the fame which the better 
judgment of the world has awarded to the author of that historic 

measure. 

BENEFITS OF THE BILL. 

The McKinley Tariff bill took the tax from some of the 
chief necessities of life, stimulated old industries, and called new 
ones of vast magnitude into prosperous existence ; greatly 
extended, by a wise system of reciprocity, the foreign commerce 
of the country, and provided means for conducting the Govern- 
ment and for keeping the financial credit of the nation unim- 
paired. These are the facts now abundantly recognized beyond 
all challenge. We may quote as absolutely true the words 
spoken by Air. McKinley himself at the time when the measure 
was repealed and a substitute put in its place : — 

"The law of 1890 was enacted for the American people and 
the American home. Whatever mistakes were made in it were 
all made in favor of the occupations and the firesides of the 
American people. It didn't take away a single day's work from 
a solitary American workingman. It gave work and wages to 
all, such as the}^ had never had before. It did it by establishing 
new and great industries in this country, which increased the 
demand for the skill and handiwork of our laborers everywhere. 
It had no friends in Europe. It gave their industries no stimu- 
lus. It gave no employment to their labor at the expense of our 
own, 

" During more than two years of the Administration of Presi- 
dent Harrison, and down to its end, it raised all the revenue 
necessary to pay the vast expenditures of the Government, includ- 
ing the interest on the public debt and the pensions. It never 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARU'F BILL I'i-.i 

encroached upon the gold reserve, which in the past had always 
been sacredly preserved for the redemption of outstanding papci 
obligations of the Government. 

" During all of its operations, down to the change and 
reversal of its policy b}^ the election of 1S92, no man can assert 
that in the industries affected by it wages were too high, although 
they were higher than ever before in this or any other country. 
If any such can be found, I beg that they be named. I chal- 
lenge the enemies of the law of 1890 to name a single industry of 
that kind. Further, I assert that in the industries affected by 
ihsit law, which that law fostered, no American consumer suffered 
by the increased cost of any home products that he bought. He 
never bought them so low before, nor did he ever enjoy the bene- 
fit of so much open, free, home competition. Neither producer 
flor consumer, emploj^er or employe, suffered by that law." 

NOMINATED FOR GOVERNOR. 

At the election of 1890, as we have said, the opposing part5 
by gerrymandering defeated Mr. McKinley by 300 votes in a dis- 
trict normally Democratic by 2,900, and thus prevented his return 
to Congress. The answer to his defeat came unhesitatingly. 
Mr. McKinley was nominated by the Republicans by acclamation 
for Governor of the State. Then followed one of the most memor- 
able campaigns ever waged in the Buckeye State. 

Mr. McKinley began his campaign on August i, and for 
three months he travelled night and day, making from two to a 
dozen speeches a day, until he had visited every county in the 
State. His campaign was on national issues, on the tariff, on 
protection ; and so eloquently and passionately did he defend his 
principles that great crowds turned out to hear him. The atten- 
tion of the v/hole country was drawn to the State of Ohio and its 
campaign. Newspaper correspondents followed the champion of 
protection in his tour of the State, and filled the press of the 
dountry with descriptions of scenes novel in political campaigns. 

Every inch of ground was stubbornly contested, but the peo- 
ple turned to McKinley as the apostle of the true dispensatioUj 

« McK 



ISO AU'THOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 

dnd women and children said lie iiad made protection and tariff 
plain to them. In that campaign, the first general campaign 
Mr. McKinley had ever made, he was pronounced the best vote- 
getter ever seen on the stump in" Ohio. He v/on the admiration 
of opponents, as he won the devotion of his own party, and his 
election by a handsome majority was gratifying to one party, 
without being a source of bitterness to the rank and file of the 
other. As his first term in the Governor's chair drew toward its 
close he was renominated b}^ acclamation, and after another spirited 
campaign he was re-elected, in 1893, by a majority of more than 
80,000, at that time the largest but one in the history of the State, 

SECURED NEEDED REFORMS. 

As Governor, Mr. McKinley never forgot that he was the 
Chief Magistrate, not merely of the party which had elected him, 
out of the wuole State, and he was untiring in his efforts to secure 
for the whole State a wise, economical, and honorable administra- 
tion. He took great interest in the management of the public 
institutions of the State, making a special study of means for their 
betterment, and securing many important and mucli-needed re- 
forms. He urged the preserving and improving of the canal 
system;, and was an earnest promoter of the movement for good 
roads. To the question of tax reform he paid much attention and 
repeatedly urged its importance upon the Legislature. Many 
questions :t'elating to the welfare of workingmen became acute 
during his administration, and were dealt with by him in a spirit oi 
intelligent sympathy. 

He had already long been known as an advocate of the eight- 
hour system, and of arbitration as a means of settling disputes 
between employers and employes. It was due to his initiative 
that the State Board of Arbitration was established in Ohio, and 
to its successful operation he gave for nearly four 37ears his close 
personal attention. He made various wise recommendations for 
legislation for the better protection of life and limb in industrial 
pursuits, and as a result several salutary laws to such effect were 
put upon the statute books. When destitution and distress 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL 131 

prevailed among the miners of the Hocking Valley, he acted with 
characteristic promptness and decision. News that many families 
were in danger of starving reached him at midnight. Before sun. 
rise he had a carload of provisions on the way to their relief. 

During the summer of 1894 strikes and other disturbances 
prevailed, especially on the chief railroad lines, and for three 
weeks regiments of militia were on duty, acquitting themselves 
most creditably for the protection of property and enforcement of 
the law, without any unuecesssary harshness towards either party 
to the disputes. On two noteworthy occasions desperate efforts 
w^ere made by ill-advised mobs to commit the crime of lynching. 
Governor McKinley promptly used the military forces of the State 
to prevent such violence of law and dishonor of the Commonwealth, 
and bhowed himself a thorough master of the trying situation, 

NO FRIEND TO RED TAPE. 

A distinctive feature of the McKinley Administration was the 
absence of red tape and needless formality. In his method of 
transacting business the Governor was concise and direct, and in 
his intercourse with people, though dignified, he was always ap- 
proachable and genial. Access was readily had to him at all 
reasonable times, and no matter of actual interest ever failed to 
receive his courteous, prompt and painstaking attention. 

In 1884, Mr. McKinley was a delegate-at-large from Ohio 
to the Republican Nominating Convention, and helped to place 
James G. Blaine on the ticket. At the National Convention of 
1888 he represented Ohio in the same capacity and was an earnest 
and loyal supporter of John Sherman. At that convention, aftet 
the first day's balloting, the indications were that Mr. McKinley 
himself might be made the candidate. Then his strength of pur- 
pose and his high ideas of loyalty and honor showed themselves, 
for in an earnest and stirring speech he demanded that no vote be 
cast for him. 

From the first two delegates had been voting persistently fol 
him, although he had not, of course, been formally placed in 
nomination. Now the number of his supporters rose to fourteen. 



132 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 

All the Republican Congressmen at Washington telegraphed to 
the convention urging his nomination. The air became electrified 
with premonitions of a stampede. 

Mr. McKinley had listened to the announcement of two votes 
for him on each ballot with mingled annoyance and amusement. 
But now the case was growing serious. The next ballot might 
give him a majority of the wdiole convention. He had only to sit 
still and the ripe fruit would drop into his hands. He had only 
to utter an equivocal protest and the result would be the same. 
But there was nothing equivocal about William McKinley. On 
one side was his personal honor; on the other side the Presidency 
of the United States. In choosing between the two hesitation was 
impossible. He sprang to his feet with an expression upon his 
face and an accent in his voice that thrilled the vast assembly, but 
hushed it mute and silent as the grave while he spoke and fore- 
stalled the movement to make him the Presidential nominee. 

CHAIRMAN OF THE CONVENTION. 

Mr. McKinle}' again occupied a seat as a delegate-at-large 
from Ohio in the National Convention of 1892, and was made the 
permanent chairman of the convention. On this occasion an 
incident similai to that of 1888 occurred. Mr. McKinley was 
pledged in honor to the support of President Harrison for renomi- 
nation, and he, as earnestly and as loyally as he had supported 
IMr. Sherman four years before, labored for Mr. Harrison's suc- 
cess. The Republican leaders who were opposed to Harrison's 
renomination sought to accomplish their purpose by stampeding 
the convention for McKinley himself No less than 182 votes 
were cast for him, against his earnest protest. 

When the vote of Ohio was announced, " 44 for McKinlej^," 
he himself from the chair challenged its correctness. The reply 
was made that he was not then a member of the delegation, his 
alternate taking his place when he was elected to the chaii. 
Thereupon Mr. McKinley called another man to the chair and 
took his place upon the floor, checked the incipient stampede^ 
and moved that the renomination of Harrison be made unani- 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 



isa 



inous. " Your turn will come in 1896 ! " shouted his supporters, 
and that prophecy was destined to be fulfilled. 

Having meanwhile, as has already been set forth, been 
thrown out of his seat in the House of Representatives, and 
served two terms as Governor of Ohio, Mr. McKinley formally 
entered the campaign of 1896, as an aspirant for the Republican 
nomination, and so earnestly and skilfully was the canvass in 
his behalf conducted, under the leadership of Mark A. Hanna, 
that, when the convention assembled at St. Louis in that year, 
his nomination was a foregone conclusion. 

On the first and only ballot taken be received 661 1-2 votes, 
to 84 1-2 cast for Thomas B. Reed, 60 1-2 for Matthew S. Quay 
(58 of these coming from the State of Pennsylvania), 58 for Levi 
P. Morton, and 35 1-2 for William B. Allison. The election 
resulted in a triumphant victory for Mr. McKinley, who received 
271 votes in the Electoral College, to 176 cast for William J. 
Bryan. Gairet A. Hobart, of New Jersey, was elected Vice- 
President at the same time, but died before the end of his term 

in office. 

REVIVAL OF PROSPERITY. 

The first administration of President McKinley was marked 
by the passage of the Dingley Tariff Act in June, 1897, by the 
beginning of a revival of prosperity throughout the country 
which has continued ever since ; by the successful waging of the 
war that wrested from Spain the last vestiges of her vast colonial 
empire, and placed the United States in the first rank as a World 
Power ; and by the approval, on March 14, 1900, of the Act of 
Congress unequivocally establishing the gold standard. 

Soon after Mr. McKinley was inducted into office, an effort 
was made to secure the recognition by Congress of the belligerency 
of the Cuban insurgents, but the joint resolution to that efi"ect 
secured the endorsement of the Senate onl3\ The relations 
between the United States and Spain were severely strained 
throughout the year 1897 because of the brutal manner in which 
the efforts to restore Spanish domination in Cuba were prosecuted. 

On January 25, 1898, the protected cruiser Maine arrivef"" in 



134 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 

the harbor of Havana, having been ordered thither by President 
McKiuley as an act of courtesy to the Spanish Government, and 
not as a menace, which was the interpretation put upon it by the 
Spanish people, if not by their government. On February 15, the 
Maine was blown up while riding peacefully in the harbor of 
Havana, with terrible loss of life. After this tragedy the termina- 
tion of peaceful relations between the United States and Spain 
was only a question of time. 

On March 5, General Fitzhngh Lee's recall from his position 
as Consul-General of the United States at Havana was requested b}? 
the Spanish Government, and promptly refused by the United States. 
Two days later a bill was introduced in the House appropriating 
$50,000,000 for national defense, which became a law by President 
McKinley's signature on March 9. The report of a Court of 
Inquiry into the Maine disaster, which was transmitted to Con- 
gress and made public on March 28, still further strained the 
relations between the two countries, and on Apr" 5, all the United 
States Consuls in Cuba were recalled. 

FIGHT FOR CUBAN INDEPENDENCE. 

On the nth. President McKinley sent a message to Congress 
on the Cuban situation, in which he advised the intervention of 
the United States in the affairs of the island, but without a recog- 
nition of the insurgent government. This conservative action 
was directly due to the firmness of the President in resisting the 
policy advocated by the radical element in Congress, The situa- 
tion developed rapidly after this, and on April 19, Congress passed 
the joint resolution recognizing the independence of the Island of 
Cuba, and authorizing the President to intervene with the armed 
forces of the United States. /- 

On the following day, President McKinley issued an ulti- 
matum to Spain, in accordance with the terms of the resolution 
passed by Congress ; on the 21st, Minister Woodford received his 
passports from the Spanish Government, and on the 2 2d, President 
McKinley issued a proclamation declaring that a state of hostii- 
.'lii's existed. 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BiLL 135 

It IS unnecessary in this connection to enter into tlie details 
of the brief but brilliant campaign which ensued, and which 
resul'^d, despite many mistakes and blunders by the Wai 
Department, in the prompt extinction of Spanish rule, not only 
in Cuba and in Porto Rico, but in the Philippine archipelago as 
well. On August 12, a peace protocol was signed between Spain 
and the United States, and hostilities were suddenly terminated. 
The two nations then entered upon the task of restoring peaceful 
relations, which were effected by the signing at Paris, on Decem- 
ber 12, of a formal treaty of peace. 

RETURN OF PEACE. 

On February lo, 1899, the treaty of peace, having been rati- 
fied by the Senate was signed by President McKinley, and on 
March 17, the Queen Regent of Spain af&xed her signature to the 
same document. The complete return of peaceful relations was 
signalized on June 16 by the arrival in Madrid of Bellamy Storer, 
the new Minister of the United States to Spain= Meanwhile, early 
in the year, a formidable insurrection against United States 
authority broke out in the Philippines, under the leadership of 
Emilio Aguinaldo, and was prosecuted with varying success until 
its collapse early in 1901, which was signalized, on March 23, by 
the capture of Aguinaldo. 

As President McKinley's first term drew towards a close, 
there was no dissentient voice in the Republican party to the 
popular demand for his renomination and re-election. The 
National Convention of 1900 met in Philadelphia in June, and 
renominated Mr. McKinley by a unanimous voice. Governor 
Theodore Roosevelt, of New York, being placed on the ticket as 
the candidate for Vice President, and William J. Bryan again 
becoming McKinley's Democratic and Populistic opponent. The 
contest at the polls resulted in an even more decided triumph for 
Mr McKinley than that of 1896, he receiving 292 votes m the 
Electoral Colleges, to 155 cast for Mr. Bryan. Every Northern 
State, except Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nevada gave its votf 
to William McKinley. 



136 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BiLI^ 

Piesident McKiuley was inaugurated for his second term osi 
Marcli 4, 1901, when he reappointed his Cabinet, and made few 
changes in the personnel of his first administration. The policy 
which he had adopted in dealing with the Territories acquired 
from Spain was amply sustained by the decisions of the Supreme 
Coui-t in the so-called insular cases, delivered in June, as far as 
they disposed of the issues before the Court. There was a recog- 
nized difference between the situation in Porto Rico and that in 
the Philippines, and the final disposition of the status of the 
latter was not then determined. 

GOVERNMENT FOR THE PHILIPPINES. 

The decisions of the Court, as far as they went, made neces*^ 
sary some slight alterations in the plans which President McKinley 
had made for proclaiming a full system of civil govern- 
ment in the Philippines on July 4th, but a partial system was 
put m operation on that date. Late in July, on notice from the 
Porto Rican Legislature that a system of local taxation had been 
established in the island which would yield revenue sufficient for 
the support of its government, the President issued a proclama- 
tion declaring the abolition of import and export duties ok the 
trade of Porto Rico with the United States, which had been im- 
posed by the so-called Foraker law, which provided a form of 
civil government for the island. 

This was the last notable event in President McKinley's 
administration previous to the brutal assault upon him by the 
anaichist Czolgosz, within the enclosure of the Pan-American 
Exposition at Buffalo, on Friday, September 6th. 

The domestic life of William McKinley was typical of the 
best American phase. On the occasion of his visit to his sister 
at Canton, just after the war, which decided his life vocation, he 
met one of his sister's friends, a pretty school giri, named Ida 
feaxton, the daughter of James Saxton, a well-to-do banker of the 
town. A mere acquaintanceship was formed at the rime, and 
when he w.nt to Albany to study law, and she to a seminary at 
Media, ni Pennsylvania, to complete her education, they temp^ 



AUTHOR 0/ THE iTAii^OUS TARIFF BILL. 1?7 

rarity lost siglit of each other. A few years later, wlicn "Mr. 
IMcKinley returned to Canton to open his law office, aud Miss 
Saxton came home from school and a European tour, they met 
again and renewed the old acqiiaintance, which soon passed 
through the stage of mere friendship into love. 

Their marriage took place on January 25, 187 1, in the Pres 
byterian Church at Canton, which had been built almost eutireiy 
through the liberality of the bride's grandmother. The cere- 
mony was performed by Dr. Buckiugham, the pastor of the church, 
assisted by Dr. Kndsley, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which Major McKinley was a member. 

THE HOME OF THE PRESIDENT. 

Major and Mrs. McKinley began housekeepiug in Canton in 
the house which has been made familiar to the world by innum- 
erable illustrations, although a great part of their married lite has 
been passed at Washington during her husband's long term of 
service in Congress as well as the Presidency, and four years of 
V in the Governor's mansion at Columbus. Two daughters were 
born to them, both dying in early childhood. The first child, 
named Kate, was born on Christmas Day, 1871. 

Just before the birth of the second daughter, named Ida, Mrs. 
McKinley was called upon to mourn the death of her own mother, 
and never recovered fully from the shock and the long and severe 
illness which she sustained as a consequence. The younger child 
died within six months, and shortly afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Kinley were called upon to follow their first born also to the grave. 

This accumulation of affiictions increased the devotion to each 
other of the bereaved parents, which has been the occasion of 
remark by all who have been brought into personal contact with 
them. Mrs. McKinley, as already stated, never recovered from 
the prostration of health and strength from which she suffered at 
the time of the illness already alluded to. A partial paralysis of 
one leg made it difficult, although not painful, for her to be upon 
her feet, and this inability for exercise in turn had a serious efi"ecl 
nxson her g:eiieral health. 



1*5 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 

Yet sHe liad always accompanied lier husband when he went 
to Washington in the discharge of his Congressional duties, and 
on more than one occasion accompanied him on extended tours in 
different parts of the country. On the other hand, Mr. McKinley 
never spent away from his wife's side a single hour that had not 
been demanded for the actual performance of his public duties. ' 

In the spring of 1901, President McKinley, accompanied ^y 
several members of his Cabinet, made a notable journey across 
the Continent, to be present at San Francisco on the occasion of 
the launching there of the battleship "Ohio." Mrs. McKinley 
accompanied the President on this trip, which was destined to 
prove too protracted and too fatiguing for her feeble health. A 
few days before the Presidential party was due in San Francisco. 
It was found necessary for the President to hasten to that place 
with his wife, whose condition had now become critical. 

LINGERED AT DEATH'S DOOR. 

For some days during May Mrs. McKinley lingered at death's 
door; but at last there was a change for the better, and, after she 
had gained sufficient strength to stand the journey Easi, she rapidly 
recovered her former measure of health at her old home in Canton 
riiroughout this trying and anxious period, the President's devo- 
tion to his sick and helpless wife was touching in the extreme 
and evoked m his favor the universal admiration of his country- 
men. ^ 

President McKinley had a singularly attractive personality. 
Always courteous and affable, he possessed a dignity of mind 
and aeportment that precluded any attempt at offensive famil- 
iarity. Nature had endowed him with a splendid constitution 
wluch had never been impaired by excesses of any sort. In 
physique below, rather than above, the medium height, his broad 
shoulders and erect figure gave him a commanding presence Fis 
face was often likened to that of Napoleon Bonaparte, but" it 
actually resembled that of Daniel Webster more closely. He 
had a full, high, and broad forehead ; deep-set, piercing eyes of 
Muish grey, which looked almost black beneath the heavy black 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF EILU 



189 



eyebrows ; a square and massive jaw, and cleau-cut features 
tlirongliout. 

Possessed of unusual oratorical powers, lie was also a delight- 
ful conversationalist. His conversation, whicli ranged easily over 
all tlie interesting topics and episodes of the day, was distin- 
guished by an absolute purit}^ of tone, no word ever escaping his 
lips that he might hesitate to utter in any presence. He drank 
no intoxicating liquors, but was fond of a good cigar, and was 
also fond of music, and had almost a passion for flowers. He 
invariably dressed in black, wearing a frock coat closel}'- buttoned, 
and a silk hat, and his face was always smoothly shaven. 

As a public speaker, his appearance on the platform instantly 
commanded attention, and he was always impressive as well as 
pleasing. Gifted wath a rich tenor voice, full and vibrant, he 
never had to strain it to make himself heard. In public he talked 
slowly and earnestly, in words of common use and of few sylla- 
bles, his discourse being enforced by comparatively little gesticu- 
lation. However abstract might be his theme or exalted his 
ideas, his language was always made plain to the ordinary intel- 
ligence. 

INVOLVED BY BANKER'S FAILURE. 

By the failure, in February, 1893, of Robert L. Walker, a 
prominent banker and capitalist of Youngstown, Ohio, Mr. 
McKinley, who was then Governor of the State, was deeply 
involved. He had trusted implicitly in Mr. Walker's honesty and 
good judgment, and had become more deeply involved, by the 
endorsement of the insolvent's paper, than he suspected. Mr. 
McKinley, as soon as he was made aware of the extent of his 
misfortune, turned all his property over to trustees, for the benefit 
of his creditors, the separate estate of Mrs. McKinley, which was 
considerable in size, taking the same course without any hesita- 
tion on her part. The total indebtedness amounted to $106,000, 
all which was provided for by friends in the course of a year, and 
in February, 1894, the trustees deeded back to both Mr. and Mrs. 
McKinley their original estates intact. 

The death of President McKinley came with the greatei 



140 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL 

sliock aftjr the hope of his recovery had seemed so well estab- 
lished. In the week of waiting the country learned how highly 
it prized the life that was hanging in the balance. Mr. McKinley 
had come to the Presidency with the usual distrust of many and 
with the enthusiastic devotion probably of very few. Year by 
year, as he steadily broadened to the responsibilities of his high 
office, and the party politician ripened into the national statesman, 
he had constantly grown in th'^ estimation of his countrymen, 
who recognized in him a high type of patriotic American citizen- 
ship, and freely extended to him the confidence that his proved 
character had earned. 

HELD IN HIGHEST ESTEEM. 

No modern President has held a surer place in contemporary 
esteem than McKinley had attained through years of trial that 
had tested and developed his higher qualities. At no time in his 
career was the universality of this kindly feeling toward him 
more apparent than at this fatal visit to Buffalo and in the ready 
response to his uplifting speech at the Exposition. It was a 
speech that must in any event have been remembered, but that 
will be recalled with especial interest now as marking the cul- 
mination of McKiuley's development in statesmanship and 
embodying his last patriotic aspirations for the great nation whose 
true spirit he had so well understood. 

In his personal and domestic relations also we may be glad to 
claim him as a typical American, clean, upright and serious- 
minded, of simple habits yet meeting all the exactions of life 
with unaffected dignity. These personal qualities had strength- 
ened the general confidence that grew up in the President's public 
character, and thus an element of personal sorrow was added to 
the horror with with which the country heard of his cruel 
assassination. 

Recovery from such a wound seemed at the time impossible, 
until the really marvelous skill of surgery had opened a hope 
that in a few days grew almost to a certainty. Yet the shock 
was greater than had been believed, and in spite of skill and 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARH^^F BILL 141 

science tlie sufferer's life iias ebbed away, to tlie heartfelt grief o' 
the whole American people. 

The man who needs oiv praj^ers to-day is the new President 
Under our Republican system a change of administration mal:e5 
no apparent disturbance, yet may ultimately involve more 
actual difference of policy than the accession of a monarch. Of 
the Vice Presidents who have succeeded to the Presidency hereto- 
fore, Tyler, Fillmore and Johnson broke more or less completely 
with their party associations and the change from Garfield to 
Arthur was of pronounced effect. 

In each case the Vice President had represented a different fac- 
tion in his party ; but there is no such recognized division in the 
party at this time and no reason to anticipate any change of 
policy from Mr. Roosevelt beyond that which may eventually 
result from his own different temperament and that of the men 
he is likely to select as his advisers. 

POWER OF EXECUTIVE LIMITED. 

The absolute power of the President is limited ; his influence 
is great. Mr. Roosevelt brings to the office an experience be3'ond 
his years, a broad culture that is unusual in our public men, an 
earnestness and energy that have shown in many fields of en- 
deavor, and above all, a burning patriotism that is inspired 
always by high ideals and governed by a courageous uprightness 
that cannot fail to make its impression on our public life. 

He is not untried in responsible position, and he always has car- 
ried himself with such high honor that we need not fear to trust 
the Chief Magistracy to him, confident that all the energy of his 
nature and the strength of his manly character will be devoted 
purely, and with a sober sense of deep responsibility, to the unsel- 
fish service of the nation. 

And so, amid the profound sorrow that has fallen upon us 
all, the nation goes on its way in confidence and hope. Our insti- 
tutions are deep-rooted beyond the reach of passing change, and 
the integrity and devotion of the national conscience will hold the 
country safe and right through all vicissitudes. McKinky's 



142 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL 

place in our history is secure. His administration has been in 
many ways illustrious and the work that was given him to do was 
well achieved. Though there seemed years of usefulness yet 
before him, they could have added little to the completeness of his 
fame or to the honor in which his memory will be cherished by 
his countrymen. 

This generation of Americans has suffered no public grief so 
poignant as that which filled the country. The death of Presi- 
dent McKinley carried into every patriotic home a sorrow such as 
the taking off of very few public men has ever before caused. 
The cruelty and wantonness of the murderous deed, committed 
upon one whose life had been signally and successfully devoted 
to the service of his country, came suddenly like a personal 
blow to every loyal member of the nation. At once there was a 
short seascn of anguish and despair. 

GREAT JOY AT GOOD NEWS. 

Then quickly followed word after word of hope and cheer. 
The sunshine of thanksgiving began to chase away the shadows 
of gloom and suspense. Gratitude and joy were breaking forth 
from millions of anxious hearts at the assured prospect that the 
life of the stricken statesman would be spared. Suddenly, in the 
swiftness of a single night, all hope v/as dashed to the ground, and 
within twenty-four hours his soul had passed into the impene- 
trable mystery. 

It is these circumstances which have peculiarly deepened the 
sadness of the national afiliction. Already grievous enough as it 
had been, it had yet to fall upon the nation with the redoubled 
force of a second calamity. It was like the mockery of fate. 

For in this memorable week of the tender solicitude of a 
nation for its fallen chief, it had come to see and understand 
him as he really was in his career and character, and to feel, 
after all, how close he had been to them in the patriotic fellow- 
ship of their hope and aspirations. Indeed, there must be few 
of his countrymen who ha^e not been impressed by the obvi- 
ous sincerity of the popular admiration and affection for him— 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 143 

Bometliing to wliicli, in our time, only the posthumous memory of 

Lincolu is a parallel. 

And when hereafter the lamentations over a great loss have 
subsided, and men shall come to pass estimate upon the life of 
William McKinley without emotion, they will pronounce it to 
have been worthy in its simplicity and its probity of comparison 
with that of any public man this country has produced at any 
stage of its history. It may not be said that he was a great man 
in the usual sense of the term, certainly not that he was a 
genius ; but it will be said that in his relation to great events he 
acted for his country with a sagacity which genius does not 
possess. 

STERLING COMMON SENSE. 

In his sterling common sense he was a well balanced man. 
In his public policies he was eminently successful. Identified 
by name, personality and action with the principles of protection; 
its unfailing and unselfish champion, even when it seemed that 
the country had been persuaded to abandon it, he lived to see it 
incorporated into the affairs of the government, and largely 
through his own tenacity, more firmly than it had ever been ; to 
administer it himself, with remarkable results, and then as the 
very last act of his career, to point out how the time was coming 
when it must be adopted to a new era of industrial greatness. 

He entered the Presidency in the midst of the gravest 
uncertcJnty as to the financial future of the United States, and at a 
a time, too, when men who did not understand the tact and patience 
of his statesmanship, distrusted his ability or his methods in settling 
the issue. Yet he worked out the problem of adjusting his party 
to fundamental doctrines of financial stability and honesty so 
well that it finally became a unit behind him ; and his death now 
raises no apprehension of a crisis or even of insecurity, over 
what, only five years ago, was a chronic source of alarm and 
agitation. 

Pre-eminently a man of peace, he was one of the four Presi- 
dents who have been called upon to conduct war ; and he was 
hurried unexpectedly into the consideration of problems such as 



144 AUTHOR OF THE P'AMOUS TARIFF BILL 

had confronted none of his predecessors and such as had been 
largeh' alien to his own study and experience. He met them 
with the ability of a man who "grows" to new occasions and new 
duties. In the Spanish war his administration surprised the 
world by the celerity of its complete success. How far the policy 
which he pursued in dealing with the complicated and exceptional 
questions growing out of the war may be a permanent success 
can only be determined by time. But it is certain that in its 
general features it has been in consonance with the wishes of a 
large majority of his countrymen. 

ENJOYED UNUSUAL CONFIDENCE. 

In the Presidency Mr. McKinlc}^ came gradually but surely 
to earn more than an ordinary share of personal confidence. Even 
his opponents in party leadership liked him as a man. This was 
not due simply to his personal S3mipatliy and cheerful manners. 
It was the result also of a respect for his integrity and sincerity. 
It arose^ too, in a large degree from observation or knowledge of a 
private or domestic life upon which even all the malevolent and 
careless gossip of the national capital never cast a shadow of dis- 
repute and which has helped to raise the standard of American 
manhood in contemplating the gentle, yet heroic fidelity of his 
devotion to the wife of his youth. 

Yet — such are the strange caprices of our destinies — it has 
been the lot of such a man to die a cruel death when still in the 
happy vigor of his years, at a time when the homes of his country- 
men were never more prosperous, when the fame of the Republic 
was never more glorious, and when he himself had become one of 
the most respected and beloved of all our Presidents. He will be 
long remembered with affectionate reverence as an eminent 
American, true to the best of the old and good traditions of his 
land and as a victim of the vilest and most insensate system of 
political malignancy known to modern times. He has left behind, 
too, the example of that kindly and well-ordered life which 
may face even so sudden and piteous a fate as his with the 
noble fortitude of those midnight words in his last agony, 



AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILi^ x46 

*' Good bye all, good bye ; it is God's way ; let His will, not 
ours, be done." 

Aud now, in tbis solemn bour, tbe Executive power of tbe 
Republic passes into tbe bands of a citizen wbo, wbile in many 
respects mucb different in bis personal attributes from tbe fallen 
President, bas also many of tbe best virtues of an American 
patriot. Tbe transition will be peaceful and orderly, and the 
government witb Tbeodore Roosevelt at its bead, will suffer no 

strain or sbock. 

Tbere is no occasion for misgivings or distrust. The new 
President, it is true, is only forty-two years of age— the youngest 
man that bas ever been summoned to tbe of&ce ; and in itbe inten- 
sity of bis temperament and bis zeal for bis convictions, be bas 
sometimes betrayed tbe faults of impetuosity. These have Iseen 
tbe outgrowth of a spirit that bas not been incompatible in the 
past witb high and useful public service. Indeed, with a con- 
siderable number of bis countrymen, be is tbe object of that 
enthusiastic esteem which goes witb unflinching bravery in tbe 
pursuit of high ideals. 

HIS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE. 

It is to be remembered that he has been engaged in public 
affairs ever since bis youth, that education as well as experience in 
important trusts qualify him for tbe nation's service, and that in 
the exercise of such an administrative trust as the Governorship 
of tbe first State of tbe Union, he emerged from it with a clean, 
honorable and creditable record. 

Witb every essential policy of the administration he bas been 
in complete accord, and there will unquestionably be no departure 
from these policies, whatever may be ultimately tbe changes 
among his constitutional advisers. 

In the meantime let President Roosevelt have the full benefit 
of an immediate recognition of bis obviously patriotic qualities as 
a man. In meeting bis new responsibilities tbe nation should be 
forbearing in criticism founded upon past judgments. Let it 
exercise that moderation and that charity of speech which ever 
10 McK 



146 AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS TARIFF BILL. 

marked tlie life of the patrio* who has passed to his eternal 
rest. 

Following are some of the notable sentiments in the Presi- 
dent's speech at the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, Sep- 
tcH^ber 5, which were received with great enthusiasm : 

"Expositions are the timekeepers of progress. 

" The wisdom and energy of all the nations are none too great 
for the world's work. 

** Isolation is no longer possible, or desirable. 

"We must not rest in fancied security that we will forever 
sell everything and buy little or nothing. 

" The period of exclusiveness is past. The expansion of oui 
trade and commerce is the pressing problem. 

" Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the 
times ; measures of retaliation are not. 

" We must encourage our merchant marine. We must have 
more ships. They must be under the American flag. 

*' We must build an Isthmian canal. 

" The construction of a Pacific cable can be no longer post- 
poned. 

"This exposition would have touched the heart of what 
American statesman whose mind was ever alert and thought tver 
constant for a larger commerce and a truer fraternity of the 
Republics of the new world. He needs no identification to an 
assemblage of Americans everywhere, for the name of Blaine is 
inseparably associated with the Pan-American movement." 



CHAPTER YIL 

(mportant State Papers and Speeches of President M cKin- 
ley— Message to Congress on the War in Cuba -Ad- 
dresses at Peace Jubilees. 

A MOURNFUL interest now attaches to President AIcKinley's 
^~^ last public address. It was delivered on Thursda}^, Septem- 
ber 5th, to a great throng at Buffalo. From his entry to the 
Exposition grounds soon after ten o'clock in the morning until 
the dying out of the lights of the illumination of the grounds and 
buildings at night, the day at the Pan-American Exposition was 
a long ovation to President McKinley, 

As the President, accompanied by Mrs. McKinley, Mrs. Will- 
iam Hamlin, of the Board of Women Managers, and John G. 
Milburn, drove to the Lincoln Parkway entrance, they were met 
by detachments of United States marines and the seacoast artillery, 
and the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth New York regiments under 
General S. M. Welcli. A President's salute of twent3'-one guns 
was fired. The great crowd which covered the esplanade before 
the grand stand, a quarter of a mile square, overflowed into the 
Court of Fountains. There were more than 30,000 who joined in 
the cheers that greeted the President as he assisted Mrs. McKin- 
le}' from the carriage to the stand, Avhere wtr^ seated many dis- 
tinguished persons, among them the representatives of Mexico 
and most of the Central and South American republics. 

There was almost absolute quiet when Mr. Milburn aro^e and 
said simply : — " Ladies and gentlemen — The President." 

Cheers again drowned all else. When they had subsid^^d the 
President began his address. 

After welcoming the representatives of other nations, praising 
expositions in general as the "timekeepers of progress," and not- 
ing the benefits to be derived from comparison of product? and 
friendly competition, the President referred to the march of im- 
provement and invention with reference to its effect upon ih^ 

147 



148 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

world's commerce and moral and material advancement He 
referred also to the growing disposition to settle international 
differences in the conrt of arbitration, the " noblest forum " for 
the settlement of such disputes. He then said : — 

" My fellow citizens, trade statistics indicate that this country 
is in a state of unexampled prosperity. The figures are almost 
appalling. They show that we are utilizing our fields and forests 
and mines, and that v/e are furnishing profitable employment to 
the millions of workingmen throughout the United States bringing 
comfort and happiness to their homes, and making it possib}^ to 
lay by savings for old age and. disability. 

PROSPERITY EVERYWHERE, 

**That all the people are participating in this great prosperity 
is seen in every American community, and shown by the enor- 
mous and unprecedented deposits in our sayings banks. Our duty 
in the care and security of these deposits and their safe invest- 
ment demands the highest integrity and the best business 
capacity. 

"Our induL.rial enterpises, which have grown to such great 
proportions, affect the homes and occupations of the people and the 
welfare of the country. Our capacity to produce has developed so 
enormously and our products have so multiplied that the problem 
of more markets requires our urgent and immediate attention. 

" We must not repose in fancied security that we can forever 
sell everything and buy little or nothing. Reciprocity is the, 
natural outgrowth of our wonderful industrial development under 
the domestic policy now firmly established. 

"What we produce beyond our domestic consumption must 
have a vent abroad. The excess must be relieved through a 
foreign outlet, and we should sell everywhere we can and buy 
wherever the buying will enlarge our sales and productions, and 
thereby make a greater demand for home labor. 

" The period of exclusiveness is past. The expansion of our 
trade and commerce is the pressing problem. Commercial wars 
are unprofitable. A policy of good will and friendly trade rela- 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. J4^ 

tions wHl prevent reprisals. Reciprocity treaties are in harmony 
with the spirit of the times; measures of retaliation are not. If, 
perchance, some of our tariffs are no longer needed for revenue or 
to encourage and protect our industries at home, why should they 
not be employed to extend and promote our markets abroad ? 

"Then, too, we have inadequate steamship service. Ne\\ 
"lines of steamships have already been put in commission between 
the Pacific coast ports ot the United States and those on the west- 
ern coasts of Mexico and Central and South America. These 
should be followed up with direct steamship lines between the 
western coast of the United States and South American ports. 

"We must have more ships. They must be under the 
American flag, built and manned and owned by Americans. These 
will not only be profitable in a commercial sense; they will be 
messengers of peace and amity wherever they go. 

LARGER COMMERCE AND TRUER FRATERNITY. 

" We must build the isthmian canal, which will unite the two 
oceans and give a straight line of water communication with the 
western coasts of Central and South America and Mexico. The 
construction of a Pacific cable cannot be longer postponed. . 

" This Exposition would have touched the heart of that 
American statesman whose mind was ever alert and thought ever 
constant for a larger commerce and a truer fraternit}^ of the repub- 
lics of the New World. His broad American spirit is felt and 
manifested here. 

"He needs no identification to an assemblage of Americans 
anywhere, for the name of Blaine is inseparably associated with 
the Pan-American movement, which finds here practical and sub- 
stantial expression, and which we all hope will be firmly advanced 
by the Pan-American Congress that assembles this autumn in the 
capital of Mexico. 

' Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not 
conflict ; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, 
not those of war. 

'* Our earnest prayer is that God will graciously voucheafe 



160 STATE PAPERS AKD SPEEClfES. 

prosperity, "happiness and peace to all our neiglibots, and like 
blessings to all the peoples and powers of earth." 

President McKinley's reference to tlie establislinient of recip- 
rocal treaties, tbe necessity of building an isthmian canal and a 
Pacific cable, and bis reference to the work of Mr. Blaine in tbe 
carrying out of the Pan-American idea brought fortb especially 
entbusiastic applause. Upon tbe conclusion of bis address tbe 
President beld an impromptu reception for fifteen minutes. 

Mr. McKinley's statesmanlike ability in dealing with great 

public questions was shown on many occasions. This appeared 

especially during the events preceding our war witb Spain. His 

message to Congress on April ii, 1898, is a masterpiece of its 

kind. 

MESSAGE ON THE CUBAN QUESTION. 

We reproduce tbe message here, as it contains a concise state- 
ment of the matters in controversy, and is an important State 
paper whicb every person wbo would be well informed will desire 
to preserve. 

*' To THE Congress of the United States i 

" Obedient to that precept of the Constitution wbicb com- 
mands tbe President to give, from time to time, to tbe Congress 
information of the state of tbe Union, and to recommend to tbeir 
consideration sucb measures as be sball judge necessary and ex- 
pedient, it becomes my duty now to address j^our body witb regard 
to tbe grave crisis tbat has arisen in tbe relations of tbe United 
States to Spain by reason of tbe warfare tbat for more tban tbree 
years bas raged in tbe neigbboring island of Cuba. 

"I do so, because of the intimate connection of tbe Cuban 
question witb tbe state our own Union, and the grave relation the 
course wbicb it is now incumbent upon the nation to adopt, must 
needs bear to tbe traditional policy of our Government, if it is to 
accord witb tbe precepts laid down by tbe founders of tbe Repub- 
lic, and religiously observed by succeeding administrations to tbe 
present day. 

"Tbe pi-esent revolution is but tbe successor of otber similar 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 



151 



insurrections whicli have occurred in Cuba against the dominion 
of Spain, extending over a period of nearly half a century, each 
of which, during its progress, has subjected the United States to 
great e^ort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws, caused 
enormous losses to American trade and commerce, caused irrita- 
tion, annoyance and disturbance among our citizens, and by the 
exercise of cruel, barbarous and uncivilized practices of warfare, 
shocked the sensibilities and offended the humane sympathies @f 
our people. 

"Since the present revolution began, in February, 1895, this 
country has seen the fertile domain of our threshold ravaged by 
fire and sword in the course of a struggle unequalled in the 
history of the island, and rarely paralleled as to the number of 
the combatants and the bitterness of the contest by any revolu- 
tion of modern times, where a determined people striving to be 
free have been oppressed by the power of the sovereign State. 

COMMERCE PARALYZED. 

" Our people have beheld a once prosperous e©mmunity re- 
ditced to comparative want, its lucrative commerce virtually para- 
lyzed, its exceptional productiveness diminished, its fields laid 
waste, its mills in ruins, and its people perishing by tens of thou- 
sands from hunger and destitution. We have found ourselves 
constrained, m the observance of that strict neutrality which our 
laws enjoin, and which the law of na'-ions commands, to police 
our waters and watch our own seaports in prevention of any 
unlawful act in aid of the Cubans. 

" Our trade has suffered, the capital invested by our citizens 
in Cuba has been largely lost, and the temper and forbearance of 
our people have been so seriousl}^ tried as to beget a perilous 
unrest among our own citizens, which has inevitably found it? 
expression from time to time in the National Legislature, so that 
issues, wholly external to our own body politic, stand in the way 
of that close devotion to domestic advancement that becomes ? 
self-contained Commonwealth, whose primal maxim has been the 
avoidance of all foreign entanglements. All this must needs 



162 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

awaken, and has, indeed, aroused the utmost concern on tlie part 
of this government as well during my predecessor's term as in 
my own. 

" In April, 1S96, the evils from which our country suffered 
through the Cuban war became so onerous that my predecessor 
made an effort to bring about a peace through the mediation of 
this Government in any way that might tend to an honorable 
adjustment of the contest between Spain and her revolted colony, 
on the basis of some effective scheme fef self-government for Cuba 
under the flag and sovereignty of Spain. It failed, through the 
refusal of the Spanish Government, then in power, to consider 
any form of mediation or, indeed, any plan of settlement which 
did not begin with the actual submission of the insurgents to the 
mother country, and then only on such terms as Spain herself 
might see fit to grant. The war continued unabated .The resist- 
ance of the insurgents was in no wise diminished, 

HORRORS OF INHUMAN STRIFE, 

*' The efforts of Spain were increased both by the despatch 
of fresh levies to Cuba and by the addition to the horrors of the 
strife of a new and inhuman phase, happily unprecedent in 
the modern histories of civilized Christian peoples. The policy 
of devastation and concentration by the Captain-General's bando 
of October, 1896, in the province of Pinar del Rio was thence 
extended to embrace all of the island to which the power of the 
Spanish arms was able to reach by occupation or by military 
•perations. 

" The peasantry, including all dwelling in the open agricul- 
tural interior, were driven into the garrison towns or isolated 
places held by the troops. The raising and moving of provisions 
of all kinds were interdicted. The fields were laid waste, dwel- 
lings unroofed and fired, mills destroyed, and, in short, everything 
that could desolate the land and render it unfit for human 
habitation or support, was commanded by one or the other of the 
contending parties and executed by all the powers at their 
disposal. 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. I53 

" By tlie time tlie present Administration took office a yeai 
a^o, reconcentration — so-called — liad been made effective over the 
better part of the four central and western provinces, Santa Clara, 
Mantanzas, Havana and Pinar del Rio. The agricultnral popu- 
lation, to the estimated number of 3CX),ooo or more, was herded 
within the towns and their immediate vicinage, deprived of the 
means of support, rendered destitute of shelter, left poorly clad, 
and exposed to the most unsanitary conditions. As the scarcity 
of food increased with the devastation of the depopulated areas 
of production, destitution and want became misery and star- 
vation. 

" Month by month the death rate increased in an alarming 
ratio. By March, 1897, according to conservative estimate from 
official Spanish sources, the mortality among the reconcentrados, 
from starvation and the diseases thereto incident, exceeded 50 
per centum of their total number. No practical relief was ac- 
corded to the destitute. The overburdened towns, already suffer- 
ing from the general dearth, could give no aid. 

CONFRONTED WITH GRAVE PROBLEMS. 

"In this state of affairs my administration found itself 
confronted with the grave problems of its duty. My message of 
last December reviewed the situation, and narrated the steps taken 
with a view to relieving its acuteness and opening the way to 
some form of honorable settlement. The assassination of the 
Prime Minister, Canovas, led to a change of Government in 
Spain. The former administration pledged to subjugation with- 
out concession, gave place to that of a more liberal party, com- 
mitted long in advance to a policy of reform involving the widei 
principle of home rule for Cuba and Porto Rico. 

" The overtures of this Government, made through its new 
Envoy, General Woodford, and looking to an immediate and 
effective amelioration of the condition of the island, although 
not accepted, to the extent of admitted mediation in any shape, 
were met by assurances that home rule, in an advanced phase, 
would be forthwith offered to Cuba, without waiting for the war 



164 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

to end, and that more humane methods should henceOrth prevail 
in the conduct of hostilities. 

"While these negotiations were in progress the increasing 
destitution of the unfortunate reconcentrados and the alarming 
mortality among them claimed earnest attention. The success 
which had attended the limited measure of relief extended to the 
suffering American citizens among them by the judicious expen- 
diture through the Consular agencies of the money appropriated 
expressly for their succor by the joint resolution approved May 
24, 1897, prompted the humane extension of a similar scheme of 
aid to the great body of sufferers. 

" A suggestion to this end was acquiesced in by the Spanish, 
authorities. On the 24th of December last I caused to be issued 
an appeal to the American people inviting contributions in money 
or in kind for the succor of the starving sufferers in Cuba, follow- 
ing this on the 8th of January by a similar public announcement 
of the formation of a Central Cuban Relief Committee, with head- 
quarters in New York City, composed of three members represent- 
ing the National Red Cross and the religio-as and business elements 
of the community. 

SPAIN'S FRIENDLY FEELING. 

" Coincidently with these declarations, the new Government 
of Spain continued to complete the policy already begun by its 
predecessor of testifying friendly regard for this nation by releas- 
ing American citizens held under one charge or another connected 
with the insurrection, so that by the end of November not a single 
person entitled in any way to our national protection remained in 
a Spanish prison, 

"The war in Cuba is of such a nature that short of subju- 
gation or extermination a final military victory for either side 
seems impracticable. The alternative lies in the physical 
exhaustion of the one or the other party, or, perhaps, of both — a 
condition which in effect ended the ten years' war by the truce of 
Zanjon. The j^rospect of such a protraction and conclusion of 
the present strife is a contingency hardly to be contemplated with 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 165 

equanimity by tlie civilized world, aud least of all by the Unitec). 
States, affected and injured as we are, deeply and intimately by 
its very existence. 

" Realizing tbis, it appeared to be my duty in a spirit of true 
friendliness, no less to Spain than to the Cubans who have so 
miich to lose by the prolongation of the struggle, to seek to bring 
about an imm.ediate termination of the war. To this end I sub- 
mitted on the 27th ultimo, as a result of much representation 
and correspondence through the United States Minister at 
Madrid, propositions to the Spanish Government looking to an 
armistice until October i, for the negotiations of peace with the 
good offices of the President. 

" In addition, I asked the immediate revocation of the order 
of reconcentration so as to permit the people to return to their 
farms, and the needy to be relieved with provisions and supplies 
from the United States, co-operating with the Spanish authorities 
so as to afford full relief. 

OFFER OF THE SPANISH CABINET. 

"The reply of the Spanish* Cabinet was received on the 
mght of the 31st ultimo. It offers as the means to bring about 
peace in Cuba, to confide the preparation thereof to the Insular 
Parliament, inasmuch as the concurrence of that body would be 
necessary to reach a final result, it being, however, understood 
that the powers reserved by the Constitution to the Central Gov- 
ernment are not lessened or diminished. As the Cuban Parlia- 
ment does not meet until the 4th of May next, the Spanish Gov- 
ernment would not object for its part to accept at once a suspen- 
sion of hostilities if asked for by the insurgents from the Gene- 
ral-in-Chief, to whom it would pertain in such case to determine 
the duration and conditions of the armistice. 

"The propositions submitted by General Woodford and the 
reply of the Spanish Government were both in the form of brief 
memoranda, the texts of which are before me, and are substan- 
tially in the language above given. 

" There remain the alternative forms of intervention to end 



j56 > ^iTATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

the war, either as an irapartial neutral by imposing & rationa? 
comDromise between tbe contestants, or as the active ally of the 
one party or tbe other. 

" As to the first, it is not to be forgotten that during the last 
few months the relation of the United States has virtually been 
one of friendly intervention in many ways, each not of itself 
conclusive, but all tending to the exertion of a potential influence 
toward an ultimate pacific result just and honorable to all inter- 
ests concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been an 
earnest, unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba, untar- 
nished by differences between us and Spain and unstained by the 
blood of American citizens. 

HOPELESS SACRIFICE OF LIFE. 

" The forcible intervention of the United States as a neutral, 
to stop the war, according to the large dictates of humanity and 
following many historical precedents where neighboring States 
have interfered to check the hopeless sacrifices of life by inter- 
necine conflicts beyond their borders, is justifiable on rational 
grounds. It involves, however, hostile constraint upon both the 
parties to the contest as well to enforce a truce as to guide the 
eventual settlement. 

''The grounds for such intervention may be briefly summar- 
ized as follows : First. In the cause of humanity and to put an 
end to the barbarities, bloodshed, starvation, and horrible miseries 
now existing there, and which the parties to the conflict are either 
unable to or unwilling to stop or mitigate. It is no answer to say 
this is all in another country, belonging to another nation, and is 
therefore none of our business. It is specially our duty, for it is 
right at our door. 

"Second. We owe it to our citizens in Cuba to afford them " 
that protection and indemnity for life and property which no gov- 
ernment there can or will afford, and to that end to terminate the 
conditions that deprive them of legal protection, 

" Third. The right to intervene may be justified by the very 
serious injury to the commerce, trade and business of our people. 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 157 

and by tlie wanton destruction of property and devastation of the 

island. 

" Fourth. Aid, which is of the utmost importance. The 
present condition of affairs in Cuba is a constant menace to cur 
peace and entails upon this government an enormous expense. 
With such a conflict waged for years in an island so near us and 
with which our people have such trade and business relations ; 
where the lives and liberty of our citizens are in constant danger 
and their property destroyed and themselves ruined ; where our 
trading vessels are liable to seizure and are seized at our very door 
by warships of a foreign nation ; the expeditions of filibustering 
that we are powerless altogether to prevent, and the irritating 
questions and entanglements thus arising— all these and others 
that I need not mention, with the resulting strained relations, are a 
constant menace to our peace and compel us to keep on a semi-war 
footing with a nation with which we are at peace. 

DESTRUCTION OF THE BATTLESHIP MAINE. 

" These elements of danger and disorder already pointed out 
have been strikingly illustrated by a tragic event which has deeply 
and justly moved the American people. I have already trans- 
mitted to Congress the report of the Naval Court of Inquiry on the 
destruction of the battleship "Maine" in the harbor of Havana, 
during the night of the fifteenth of February. The destruction 
of that noble vessel has filled the national heart with inexpressible 
horror. Two hundred and sixty-six brave sailors and marines and 
two officers of our navy, reposing in the fancied security of a 
friendly harbor, have been hurled to death; grief and want brought 
to their homes and sorrow to the nation. 

"The Naval Court of Inquiry, which, it is needless to say, 
commands the unqualified confidence of the Government, was 
unanimous in its conclusions that the destruction of the Maine 
was caused by an exterior explosion-that of a submarine mine. 
It did not assume to place the responsibility. That remains to be 

fixed. , „ , , ^ 

"In any event the destruction of the ''Maine,'' by whateve. 



158 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 



exterior cause, is a patent and impressive proof of a state of things 
in Cuba that is intolerable. That condition is thus shown to be 
such that the Spanish Government cannot assure safety and 
security to a vessel of the American Navy in the harbor of 
H?vana on a mission of peace and rightfully there. 

'Further referring in this connection to recent diplomatic 
• correspondence, a despatch from our Minister to Spain, of the 26th 
! ultimo, contained the statement that the Spanish Minister for 
Foreign Affairs assured him positively that Spain will do all that 
the highest honor and justice required in the matter of the "Maine." 
The reply above referred to of the 31st ultimo also contained an 
expression of the readiness of Spain to submit to an arbitration all 
the differences which can arise in this matter, which is subse- 
quently explained by the note of the Spanish Minister at Wash- 
ington of the loth instant, as follows : 

" 'As to the question of fact which springs from the diversity 
of views between the report of the American and Spanish boards, 
Spain proposes that the fact be ascertained by an impartial in- 
vestigation by experts, whose decision Spain accepts in advance.' 
To this I have made no reply. 

"V\^AR IN CUBA MUST STOP.*' 

*' In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in 
iehalf of endangered American interests which give us the right 
ii.0 speak and to act, the war in Cuba must stop. 

"In view of these facts and of these considerations, I ask the 
Congres's to authorize and empower the President to take measures 
to secure a full and final termination of hostilities between the 
government of Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure in 
the island the establishment of a stable government, capable of 
maintaining order and observing its international obligations, 
insuring peace and tranquillity, and the security of its citizens as 
well as our own, and to use the military and naval forr ^s of the 
Uiilted States as may be necessary for these purposes. 

" And in the interest of humanity, and to aid in preserving 
the lives of the starving people of the island, I recommend that 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. ^59 

the distribution of tiie food and supplies be continued, and that an 
appropriation be made out of the public treasury to supplement 
the charity of our citizens. The issue is now with Congress. It 
is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve 
the intolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors. 

" Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me b}'- 
- the Constitution and the law, I await your action. 

" Since the preparation of the foregoing message ofi&cial infor- 
mation was received by me that the latest decree of the Queen 
Regent of Spain directs General Blanco, in order to prepare and 
facilitate peace, to proclaim a suspension of hostilities, the duration 
and details of which have not yet been communicated to me. This 
fact, with every other pertinent consideration, will, I am sure, have 
3'our just and careful attention in the solemn deliberations upon 
which you are about to enter. If this measure attains a success- 
ful result, then our aspirations as a Christian peace-loving people 
will be realized. If it fails, it will be only another justification for 
our contempleted action. WILLIAM McKINLEY. 

*' Executive Mansion, April 11, 1898." 

INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS IN CUBA. 

The causes stated in the President's message constituted the 
real occasion for war between the United States and Spain. It 
was felt that the condition of the people of Cuba could no longer 
be tolerated, especially as it involved the rights of American citi- 
zens and endangered our commercial relations. Our citizens were 
liable to arrest on suspicion of sympathizing with the insurgents. 
Their property, in many instances, had been wantonly destroyed, 
and they had been compelled to suffer disaster from fire and sword. 
It was not in the nature of things that such outrages should con- 
tinue without arousing public indignation and creating a demand 
that these atrocities should be discontinued even at the cost of war. 

During the progress of hostilities with Spain the President 
showed in every way his appreciation of the brave demeanor of 
the American soldiers who promptly responded to their countrj^'s 



]60 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

The following official correspondence between Prcs;den.. 
McKinley and General Breckinridge, in which the President 
pays tribute to the troops who could not be sent to the front was 
made public August 1 2th. 

" CmCKAMAUGA PARK, Ga., Aug. lO, 1898. 

"The President: 

" May I not ask you, in the name and behalf ot the forty 
thousand men of this command, to visit it while it is still intact ? 
There is much to be said showing how beneficial and needed such 
a visit is ; but you will appreciate better than I can tell you the 
disappointment and consequent depression many men must feel, 
especially the sick, when they joined together for a purpose, and 
have done so much to show their readiness and worthiness to 
serve their country in the field, but find themselves leaving the 
military service without a battle or campaign. All who see f.hem 
must recognize their merit and personal interest, must encourage 
all if you can find time to review this command. 

" Breckinridge, Major General Commanding." 

The following was the President's reply : 

''Executive Mansion, Washington, Aug. ii, 1898, 
'■' Major General Breckinridge, Chickamauga Park : 

*' Replying to your invitation I beg to say that it would give 
me great pleasure to show by a personal visit to Chickamauga 
Park my high regard for the forty thousand troops of your com- 
mand, who so patriotically responded to the call for volunteers 
and who have been for upwards of two months ready for any 
service and sacrifice the country might require. My duties, how- 
ever, will not admit of absence from Washington at this time. 

"The highest tribute that can be paid to a soldier is to say 
that he performed his full duty. The field of duty is determined 
by his government, and wherever that chances to be is the place 
ot honor. All have helped in the great cause, whether in camp 
or battle, and when peace comes all will be alike entitled to tlie 
nation's gratitude. " William McKinley^'' 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES, IGJ 

Tlie war having been brouglit to a successful issue, on the 
evening of August 12, 1898, President McKinley issued the fol- 
lowing proclamation : 

"By the President of the United States of America. 

"A Proclamation 

"Wbereas, By a protocol concluded and signed August 12, 
1898, by William R. Day, Secretary of State of the United States, 
and His Excellency, Jules Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary 
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France at Wash- 
ington, respectively representing for this purpose the Government 
of the United States and the Government of Spain, the United 
States and Spain have formally agreed upon the terms on which 
negotiations for the establishment of peace between the two coun- 
tries shall be undertaken ; and 

" Whereas, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclu- 
sion and signature hostilities between the two countries shall be 
suspended, and that notice to that effect shall be given as soon as 
possible by eacb government to the commanders of its military 
and naval forces. 

HOSTILITIES ARE SUSPENDED. 

"Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the 
United States, do, in accordance with the stipulations of the proto- 
col, declare and proclaim on the part of the United States a sus- 
pension of Hostilities, and do hereby command that orders be 
immediately given through the proper channels to the command- 
ers of the military and naval forces of the United States to abstain 
from all acts inconsistent with this proclamation. 

" In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused 
the seal of the United States to be affixed, 

"Done in the city of Washington, this 12th day of August, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety- 
eight, and of the Independence of the United States the one hun- 
dred and twenty-third. " William McKinley." 
'' By the President, William R. Day. S^-retary of State." 

11 McK 



162 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

In October many towns and cities in all parts of the United 
States held peace jubilees, to commemorate the end of the war, 
and express the public satisfaction over its results. Chicago's 
great peace jubilee began on Monday, October 17th, and con- 
tinued for several days. President and Mrs. McKinley were pres. 
ent, with several members of the Cabinet, many foreign ministers 
"and secretaries, Senators, Representatives, Governors, officers of 
jthe army and navy, mayors of cities, prelates of the churches and 
other distinguished men. 

Arches were erected across many streets and named in honor 
of army and navy heroes of the Spanish war. Flags and bunting 
decorated every building in the downtown district. Countless 
lines of electric lights were strung for illuminating the streets 
and every preparation was made to celebrate the victories at 
Manila and Santiago. There were banquets, parades and a j ubilee 
ball, and the city was crowded for many days. 

AT THE CHICAGO AUDITORIUM. 

The jubilee was inaugurated with a union thanksgiving 
service at the Auditorium. President McKinley attended and 
listened to addresses by a Jewish rabbi, a Roman Catholic priest, 
a Presbyterian clergyman and a noted colored orator. The 
applause for the President was terrific, and at one time he was 
compelled to rise in his box and respond to the frantic cheering 
of the audience. The services, however, were of a religious char- 
acter. 

The President's party was driven to the Auditorium at 8 
o'clock, and all along the way people lined the streets to watch 
the passage of the President's carriage. Easily 12,000 people 
were within the great Auditorium, and probably as many more 
were on the outside unable to obtain admittance. 

A great public meeting was held in the Auditorium on Tues- 
day. The presiding officer, George K. Peck, spoke briefly. The 
President was undemonstrative until Mr. Peck said, in reference 
to peace : " We have given good lives for it, and every life makes 
it more precious ' Then the President applauded. A moment 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 1C3 

later the orator struck anotlier cliord, wliicli seemed to arouse tlie 
euthusiasin of the nation's chief. " Our greatest victory," he 
said, '"is the supreme victory which the North aud South have 
won over each other." At this the President and all applauded 
vigorously. 

As President McKinley and party arose to leave, there were 
loud calls for the Chief Executive. For fully five minutes the 
enthusiasm of the audience would not let him speak. Then he 
spoke as follows : 

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 

" My fellow citizens, I have been deeply moved by this great 
demonstration. I have been deeply touched by the words of 
patriotism that have been uttered by the distinguished men so 
eloqtiently in your presence. 

" It is gratifying to all of us to know that this has never 
ceased to be a war of humanity. The last ship that went out of 
the harbor of Havana before war was declared was an American 
ship that had taken to the suffering people of Cuba the supplies 
furnished by American charity (applause), and the first ship to 
sail into the harbor of Santiago was an American ship bearing 
food supplies to the suffering Cubans (applause), and I am sure it 
is the universal prayer of American citizens that justice and 
humanity and civilization shall characterize the final settlement 
of peace, as they have distinguished the progress of the war. 
(Applause.) 

" My countrymen, the currents of destiny flow through the 
hearts of our people. Who will check them, who will divert 
them, who will stop them ? And the movements of men, planned 
and designed by the Master of Men, will never be interrupted by 
the American people." (Great applause.) 

The military parade occupied Wednesday, and so great was 
the crowd of people along the route that the police had great di£&- 
eulty in keeping an open passage for the men in line. 

The President rose and uncovered as the veterans of the civil 
war passed him. This aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators 



164 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

and lie was cheered time and again. When the last man in liiii? 

had gone by the President was escorted to the Union LeaguQ 

Club, where he partook of luncheon as the guest of the club. 

More than a thousand persons were at the table, including the 

guests of the city and prominent members of the organization. 

While the President was at luncheon a great crowd outside 

called for him. They would not be denied, and the President 

stepped out on the reviewing stand. As soon as quiet was restored 

he said : 

LOUD CHEERS FOR THE VETERANS, 

" I witness with pride and satisfaction the cheers of the mul- 
titudes as the veterans of the civil war on both sides of the 
contest have been reviewed. (Great applause.) I witness with 
increasing pride the wild acclaim of the people as you watch the 
volunteers and the regulars and our naval reserves (the guardians 
of the people on land and sea) pass before your eyes. The 
demonstration of to-day is worth everything to our countryj for I 
read in the faces and hearts of my countrymen the purpose to see 
to it that this government, with its free institutiop-s, shall never 
perish from the face of the earth. 

" I wish I might take the hand of every patriotic woman, man 
and child here to-day, (Applause.) But I cannot do that. (Voice 
from the crowd, ' But you've got our hearts,' followed by prolOi::ged 
cheering). And so I leave with you not only my thanks, but t^ie 
thanks of this great nation, for your patriotism and devotion t© 
the flag." (Great cheering.) 

On the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th. of October a National Jubi- 
lee to commemorate the return of peace drew to Philadelphia the 
most notable officials of the Government, and the most renowned 
commanders and heroes of the war. The festivities, which were 
attended by hundreds of thousands of people, who exhibited their 
patriotism in every possible way, began with a great naval parade 
ou the Delaware on the afternoon of the 25th. 

The naval review was one of the grandest spectacles that has 
ever been witnessed in this countr3\ Every craft on the river, 
from the usually inconsequential tugboat to the fleet of massive 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 166 

warships that honored tiie city witli its presence, and irom tht 
iiugy rowboat to every sailing vessel of material size, was gaily 
decorated. Tlie multitude of piers that project into the stream on 
both sides of the river were likewise beautified by a generous dis- 
play of flags and bunting. The whole scene was inspiring, and, 
with each Government vessel booming forth a salute of seventeeu 
guns to the Secretary of the Navy as he passed the moored mon- 
sters of war on the luxurious steam yacht ''May," the spirit of 
patriotism was so manifest that one's sense oi love for country 
demonstrated itself in long and loud cheerSo 

BRILLIANT NAVAL DISPLAY. 

Every class of vessel in the United States navy was repre- 
sented in the motionless line of warships, from the great massive 
battleship down to the daring torpedo-boat, as well as that 
valuable arm of the service represented by the transport and 
despatch boat. The crowd of sightseers realized that, m the 
battles of the war, all of them performed their duty m the spirit 
as well as to the letter, on scouting service, or in carrying 
despatches, on blockade duty, or in pitched engagements, and all, 
with the heroes on board of them, were accorded that enthusiastic 
reception which a loyal American people are capable of giving. 
The'men were not forgotten in the admiration of the ships. It is 
a matter of history that every man, wherever found, down m the 
engine room, among the stokers, or behind the guns, performed 
his whole duty, and the cheering was for them as well as for the 
ships which they manned. 

Followfng the Secretary of the Navy the great crowds on the 
boats in the line of parading vessels, over two miles long cheered 
lustily as they glided slowly by in their turn m single file. iHe 
Columbia came in for her share of applause, and then the May^ 
flower recalled by her presence her excellent record, and she was 
cheered. But when the New Orleans, that defiant cruiser whose 
telling shots were felt by the Spanish forts on the coast of Cuba 
was passed, it seemed as if the crowd wanted to board her and 
personally grasp the bauds of her ofiicers and crew. 



166 STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. 

But if tHey were demonstrative then, words almost fail to 
describe their enthusiasm as they passed that battle monster, the 
battleship Texas, the flag-ship of Commodore Philip's squadron. 
It was not an easy thing to recall, from her present condition, 
that the Texas, with "Jack" Philip in command, had taken a 
foremost part in one of the most marvelous marine battles in 
naval history. All the other war vessels were greeted with en- 
thusiasm, and the booming of guns which saluted the Secretary 
of the Navy contributed much to render the occasion both inspiring 
and impressive. 

Much of the interest in the National Jubilee centered in 

Military Day. Mile after mile, hour after hour of marching men, 

popular heroes of the Spanish war, officers on horseback, privates 

on foot, gray-haired Grand Army veterans, the scarred battle flags 

of the Rebellion, music of bands, enormous numbers of cheering 

people massed in stands and on sidewalks, the senior general ot 

the United States Army leading the seven-mile line, the President 

of the United States and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army 

and Navy reviewing it ; and, as a frame to the picture, the city 

gay with color shining in the clear sunshine of a perfect October 

day. 

APPLAUSE FOR THE NOTABLES. 

Every popular favorite in the parade was liberally applauded. 
General Miles and General Wheeler, Hobson and his men, the 
Rough Riders' detachment, the gallant Tenth Cavalry, the colored 
troopers who came to the relief of Roosevelt's men when they were 
so hard pressed at El Caney ; Captain Sigsbee, the marines and 
the Twenty-first Infantry were received with the wildest demon- 
strations of delight. 

President McKinley, who was the guest of the Clover Club, 
of Philadelphia, said, in his address : 

"It is most gratifying to me to participate with the people of 
Philadelphia in this great patriotic celebration. It has been a 
pageant the like of which I do not believe has been seen since the 
close of the civil war, when the army of Grant and Sherman and 
the navy of Farragut and Porter met in that great celebration in 



STATE PAPERS AND SPEECHES. jg7 

Washington and was reviewed by President Lincoln. And I know 
of no better place in which to have snch a celebration than in this 
glorious city, which witnessed the Declaration of Independence. 

"As I stood on the reviewing stand to-day my heart was filled 
only with gratitude to the God of battles, who has so favored us, 
and to the soldiers and sailors who have won such victories on, 
land and sea and have given such a new meaning to American 
valor. No braver soldiers or sailors ever assembled under a flag. 

"You had to-day the heroes of Guantanamo, of Santiago, of 
Porto Rico. We had unfortunately none of the heroes of Manila, 
but our hearts go out to-night to the brave Dewey" — here the 
President was interrupted with tremendous cheers — "an d to Merritt 
and to Otis and to all the brave men with them. 

" Gentlemen, the American people are ready. If the Merrimac 
is to be sunk — " here the President turned to the young naval 
constructor, while every one shouted ' Hobson — ' "yes, Hobson, 
is ready to do it and to succeed in what his foes never have been 
able to do — sink an American ship. 

•'I propose a toast to the army and navy, without whose 
sacrifices we could not now celebrate the victory, a toast not only 
to the men who were in the front, in the trenches, but the men 
wh© we-re willing and anxious to go, but who could not be sent." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Glowing Tribute to Our Lamented President — Speech on 
Being Notified of His Second Nomination — Masterly 
Statement of the Political History of Our Country. 

THE sorrow over Mr. McKinley's untimely death was not con- 
fined to any one section of our country. This is made plain 
by the following editorial from the "Atlanta Constitution," wbicli 
gives eloquent voice to the grief that was common to our whole 
people : 

" The death of the President comes to the people of the 
United States as a common grief. In the North, to whose cause 
he was espoused when civil war raged ; in the South, to whose 
people he brought a message of real fraternity ; in the new nation, 
baptized in the blood of all sections, the name of McKinley had 
become a household word. He was close to each, without indif- 
ference to either ; with the love of a father,- he looked forward to 
the maturity of the nation over which he had been called to 
preside. 

"The hour of death removes politics, but better still the love 
of a lifetime had extracted whatever asperity might have existed. 
The high of&ce of President was fittingly filled by a man meas- 
uring up to its requirements. To him it made no difference whether 
patriot had worn blue or gray ; he accepted the heart-loyalty of 
the present as the token of the future. There will be many 
evidences of the dead President's administration to perpetuate 
his name. 

" He had an eye to the material supremacy of the Union ; 
he had expanded the limits of American authority beyond the 
seas, but, greater than all— the greatest possible — was the bind- 
ing of domestic wounds and the healing of internal estrange- 
ment. 

" The nation mourns for McKinley ; the South kneels at his 

bier ; the whole world sees a weeping but united nation. 
168 



Mckinley on the condition of the country. jgo 

■'' But government never stands still. Witli the closing of the 
career of the President, the Vice President comes into office. This 
'brings to the nation no shock of policy or of person. The people 
elected McKinley and Roosevelt as in one purpose, and one in 
policies. Theodore Roosevelt is an outspoken man ; brave, and 
ready to meet every emergency. Placed in positions of untried 
trust, he has proven equal to every occasion. His qualities are 
of the manly order. He, like the late President, is full of hope 
for his country, and looks to a glorious future for it. In his blood 
there courses a Georgian strain. That he will meet his new 
responsibility there need be no doubt. Theodore Roosevelt will 
prove a worthy successor of William McKinley. 

A LESSON OF RESPONSIBILITY, 

" To the nation itself there comes the lesson of responsibility. 
A government of laws can only be upheld by a people devoted to 
law observance. We have permitted canker to grow up in the body 
politic. We have overlooked the vile abuse of our institutions 
by men who sought our protection only to betray it. While the 
nation's chief was in agony vile men rejoiced, and brazen women, 
like the Goldman iiend, laughed officers to scorn. Law was 
mocked, and there was only helplessness to look on. There must 
be a change ! There must be no compromising with civic crime ! 
The Anarchist must go ! He must not gloat over the grief of a 
strong nation. Herein lies work for the people !" 

This eulogy is fully merited, as may be seen from the public 
utterances of Mr. McKinley which have regard to every section 
of our broad land and to all the varied conditions of labor and 
finance. His address to the committee that notified him of his 
second nomination for President was an elaborate declaration of 
great principles. Every issue involved in the campaign was 
discussed at length, and the document possesses great value as a 
sketch of the political history of the country during the adminis- 
tration. The following is the text of the address : 

The nomination of the Republican Convention of June, 19, 
190C, for the office of President of the United States, which, as 



170 Mckinley on the condition of the country. 

the ofiBcial representative of tHe convention, you have conveyed 
to me, is accepted. I have carefully examined the platform 
adopted and give to it my hearty approval. Upon the great issue 
of the last national election it is clear. It upholds the gold 
standard and endorses the legislation of the present Congress, 
by which that standard has been effectively strengthened. The 
stability of our national currency is, therefore, secure so long as 
those who adhere to this platform are kept in control of the 
government. 

FRIENDS OF THE GOLD STANDARD. 

In the first battle, that of 1896, the friends of the gold stand- 
ard and of sound currency were triumphant, and the country is 
enjoying the fruits of that victory. Our antagonists, however, 
are not satisfied. They compel us to a second battle upon the 
same lines on which the first was fought and won. While regret- 
ting the reopening of this question, which can only disturb the 
present satisfactory condition of the government and visit uncer- 
tainty upon our great business enterprises, we accept the issue 
and again invite the sound money forces to join in winning an- 
other, and, we hope, a permanent triumph for an honest financial 
system system which will continue inviolable the public faith. 

As in 1896, the three silver parties are united, under the 
same leader who immediately after the election of the year, in an 
address to the bimetalists, said : 

** The friends of bimetalism have not been vanquished ; they 
have simply been overcome. They believe that the gold standard 
is a conspiracy of the money-changers against the welfare of the 
human race— ar^i they will continue the warfar against it." 

The policy thus proclaimed has been accepted and confirmed 
by these parties. The Silver Democratic platform of 1900 con- 
tinues the warfare against the so-called gold conspiracy when it 
expressly says : '' We reiterate the demand of that (the Chicago) 
platform of 1896 for an American financial system made by the 
American people for themselves, which shall restore and maintain 
a bimetalic price level, and as part of such system the immediate 



MeKINLEY ON THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTY. Hi 

restoration of tlie free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at 
tie present ratio of 1 6 to i, without waiting for tlie aid or consent 
of any other nation." 

So the issue is presented. It will be noted that the demand 
is for the immediate restoration of the free coinage of silver at i6 
to I. If another issue is paramount, this is immediate. It will 
admit of no delay and will suffer no postponement. 

Turning to the other associated parties, we find in the Popu- 
list national platform, adopted at Sioux Falls, S. D., May lo, 1900, 
the following declaration : 

*' We pledge anew the People's party never to cease the agi- 
tation until this financial conspiracy is blotted from the statute 
books, the Lincoln greenback restored, the bonds all paid, and all 
corporation money forever retired. We reaffirm the demand 
for the reopening of the mints of ths United States for the free 
and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the present legal ratio 
of 16 to I, the immediate increase in the volume of silver coins 
and certificates thus created to be substituted, dollar for dollar, for 
the bank notes issued by private corporations under special privi- 
lege, granted by law of March 14, 1900." 

EXTRAORDINARY ANNOUNCEMENT. 

The platform of the Silver party, adopted at Kansas City, 
July 6, 1900, makes the following announcement : 

" We declare it to be our intention to lend our efforts to the 
repeal of this currency law, which not only repudiates the ancient 
and time-honored principles of the American people before the 
Constitution was adopted, but is violative of the principles of the 
Constitution itself; and we shall not cease our efforts until there 
has been established in its place a monetary system based upon 
the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold into money 
at the present legal ratio of 16 to i by the independent action of 
the United States, under which system all paper money shall be 
issued by the government, and all such money coined or issued 
shall be a full legal tender in payment of all debts, public an<^ 
private, without exception." 



172 MgKINLEY on the CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY. 

In all tliree platforms tliese parties announce tliat tHeir effo/ta 
stall be unceasing until the gold act shall be blotted from tbc; 
statute books and the free and unlimited coinage of silver at i6 
to T shall take its place. 

The relative importance of the issues I do not stop to discuss, 
All of them are important. Whichever partj^ is successful wil'i 
be bound in conscience to carry into administration and legisla 
tion its several declarations and doctrines. One declaration will 
be as obligatory as another, but all are not immediate. It is not 
possible that these parties would treat the doctrine of i6 to i, the 
immediate realization of which is demanded by their several plat- 
forms, as void and inoperative in the event that they should be 
clothed with power. Otherwise their profession of faith is insin- 
cere. 

FIGHT ON THE SILVER ISSUE. 

It is, therefore, the imperative business of those opposed to 
this financial heresy to prevent the triumph of the parties whose 
union is only assured by adherence to the silver issue. Will the 
American people, through indifference or fancied security, hazard 
the overthrow of the wise financial legislation of the past year 
and revive the danger of the silver standard, with all of the 
inevitable evils of shattered confidence and general disaster which 
justly alarmed and aroused them in 1896 ? 

The Chicago platform of 1896 is reaffirmed in its entirety by 
the Kansas City convention. Nothing has been omitted or 
recalled ; so that all the perils then threatened are presented 
anew, with the added force of a deliberate reafiirmation. Four 
years ago the people refused to place the seal of their approval 
upon these dangerous and revolutionary policies, and this year 
they will not fail to record again their earnest dissent. 

The Republican party remains faithful to its principle of a 
tariff which supplies sufficient revenues for the government and 
adequate protection to our enterprises and producers ; and of 
reciprocity which opens foreign markets to the fruits of American 
laboi, and furnishes new channels through which to market the 
surplus of American farms. The time-honored principles of 



Mckinley on the condition of the country. 173 

protection and reciprocity were the first pledges of Republican 
victory to be written into public law. 

The present Congress has given to Alaska a territorial gov- 
ernment, for which it had waited more than a quarter of a century; 
has established a representative government in Hawaii ; has 
enacted bills for the most liberal treatment of the pensioners and 
their widows ; has revived the free homestead policy. In its great 
financial law it provided for the establishment of banks of issue 
with a capital of $25,000, for the benefit of villages and rural 
communities, and bringing the opportunity for profitable business 
in banking v/ithin the reach of moderate capital, Mau}^ are 
already availing themselves of this privilege. 

UNITED STATES BONDS. 

During the past year more than nineteen millions of United 
States bonds have been paid from the surplus revenues of the 
Treasur}^, and in addition twenty-five millions of 2 per cents 
matured, called by the government, are in process of payment. 
Pacific railroad bonds issued by the government in aid of the 
roads in the sum of nearly forty-four million dollars have been 
paid since December 31, 1897. '^^^^ Treasury balance is in satis- 
factor}^ condition, showing on September i, $135,419,000, in addi- 
tion to the $150,000,000 gold reserve held in the Treasur}-. The 
Government's relations with the Pacific railroads have been sub- 
stantially closed, $121,421,000 being received from these roads, 
the greater part in cash and the remainder with ample securities 
for payments deferred. 

Instead of diminishing, as was predicted four j^ears ago, the 
volume of our currency is greater per capita than it has ever 
been. It w^as $21.10 in 1896. It has increased to $26.50 on July 
I, 1900, and $26.85 on September i, 1900. Our total mone}- on 
July I, 1896, was $1,506,434,966 ; on July i, 1900, it was $2,062,- 
425,490, and $2,096,683,042 on September i, 1900. 

Our industrial and agricultural conditions are more promis- 
ing than they have been for many v'ears ; probably more so than 
they have ever been. Prosperity abounds everywhere through- 



174 McKINLEY ON THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY. 

out the Republic. I rejoice that the Southern as well as the 
Northern States are enjoying a full share of these improved 
national conditions, and that all are contributing so largely to 
our remarkable industrial development. The money lender 
receives lower rewards for his capital than if it were invested in 
active business. The rates of interest are lower than they have 
ever been in this country, while those things which are produced 
^n the farm and in the workshop and the labor producing them 
have advanced in value. 

SATISFACTORY FOREIGN TRADE. 

Our foreign trade shows a satisfactory and increasing growth. 
The amount of our exports for the year 1900, over those of the 
exceptionally prosperous year of 1899, was about half a million 
dollars for every day of the year, and these sums have gone into 
the homes and enterprise of the people. There has been an in- 
crease of over $50,000,000 in the exports of agricultural products ; 
$92,692,220 in manufactures, and in products of the mines of over 
$10,000,000. Our trade balances cannot fail to give satisfaction 
to the people of the country. In 1898 we sold abroad $615,452,- 
676 of products more than we bought abroad ; in 1899, $529,874,- 
813 and in 1900, $544,471,701, making, during the three years, a 
total balance in our favor of $1,689,779,190 — nearly five times the 
balance of trade in our favor for the whole period of 108 years, 
from 1790 to June 30, 1897, inclusive. 

Four hundred and thirty-six million dollars of gold have 
been added to the gold stock of the United States since July i, 
1896. The law of March 14, 1900, authorized the refunding- into 
2 per cent, bonds of that part of the public debt represented by 
the 3 per cents, due in 190S ; the 4 per cents, due in 1907 ; and 
the 5 per cents, due in 1904, aggregating $840,000,000. More 
than one-third of the sum of these bonds was refunded in the 
first three months after the passage of the act, and on Sep- 
tember I the sum had been increased more than $33,000,000, 
making in all $330,578,050, resulting in a net saving of over 
$8,379,520. 



Mckinley on the condition of the country. iTo 

THe ordinary receipts of the government for the fiscal year 
1900 were $79,827,060 in excess of its expenditures. 

While our receipts both from customs and internal reveune 
have been greatly increased, our expenditures have been decreas- 
ing. Civil and miscellaneous expenses for the fiscal year ending 
June 30, 1900, were nearly $14,000,000 less than in 1899, while 
on the war account there is a decrease of more than $95,000,000. 
There were required $8,000,000 less to support the navy this year 
than last, and the expenditures on account of Indians were nearly 
two and three-quarter million dollars less than in 1899. 

ITEMS OF INCREASE IN TAX. 

The only two items of increase in the public expenses of 
1900 over 1899 are for pensions and interest on the public debt. 
For 1890 we expended for pensions $139,394,929, and for the fiscal 
year 1900 our payments on this account amounted to $140,877,- 
316. The net increase of interest on the public debt of 1900 over 
1899, required by the war loan, was $263,408.25. While Congress 
authorized the Government to make a war loan of $400,000,000 at 
the beginning of the war with Spain, only $200,000,000 of bonds 
were issued, bearing three per cent, interest, which were promptly 
and patriotically taken by our citizens. 

. Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce our revenue 
or increase our expenditures, the Congress at its next session 
should reduce taxation very materially. 

Five years ago we were selling Government bonds bearing 
as high as five per cent, interest. Now we are redeeming them 
with a bond at par bearing two per cent, interest. We are selling 
our surplus products and lending our surplus money to Europe. 
One result of our selling to other nations so much more than we 
have bought from them during the past three years is a radical 
improvement of our financial relations. 

The great amounts of capital which have been borrowed of 
Europe for our rapid, material development have remained a con- 
stant drain upon our resources for interest and dividends, and 
made our money markets liable to constant disturbances by calls 



176 Mckinley on the condition of the country. 

for payment or Heavy sales of our securities whenever raoneyed 
stringency or panic occurred abroad. We have now been paying 
tliese debts and bringing bonie many of our securities and estab- 
lishing countervailing credits abroad by our loans, and placing 
ourselves upon a sure foundation of financial independence. 

In the unfortunate contest between Great Britain and the 
Boer States of South Africa, the United States has maintained an 
attitude of neutrality in accordance with its well-known traditional 
policy. It did not hesitate, however, when requested by the Gov- 
ernments of the South African republics to exercise its good 
offices for a cessation of hostilities. It is to be observed that 
while the South African republics made like requests of other 
powers, the United States is the only one which complied. The 
British Government declined to accept the intervention of any 

power. 

CARRIED BY FOREIGN SHIPS. 

Ninety-one per cent, of our exports and imports are now 
carried by foreign ships. For ocean transportation we pay an- 
nually to foreign ship owners over $165,000,000. We ought to 
own the ships for our carrying trade with the world and we ought 
to build them in American shipyards and man them with Ameri- 
can sailors. Our own citizens should receive the transportation 
chaiges now paid to foreigners. I have called the attention of 
Congress to this subject in my several annual messages. In that 
of December 6, 1897, I said : 

" Most desirable from every standpoint of national interest 
and patriotism is the effort to extend our foreign commerce. To 
this end our merchant marine should be improved and enlarged. 
We should do our full share of the carrying trade of tlie 
world. We do not do it now. We should be the laggard no 
longer." 

In my message of December 5, 1899, I said : 

" Our national development will be one-sided and unsatis- 
factory so long as the remarkable growth of our inland industries 
remains unaccompanied by progress on the seas. There is no 
lack of constitutional authority for legislation which shall give to 




JOHN D. LONG 
8BORETARY OF THE NAVt 




GEORGE B. CORTELYOU 
aECRKTARY TO PRESIDRNT McKINLEY 




ELIHg ROOT-5ECRBTARY Of WA!« 



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CHARLES EMORY SMITH 

POSTMASTER GENERAL 




UK. P. M- HIXEY 
VTE PHYSICIAN TO PRESIDENT McKlNLEY ANH FAMILY 




DR. ROSWELL P. PARK 

SURGEON IN ATTENDANCE UPON PRESIDENT McKINLEY 




SECRET SERVICE MEN FOSTER AND IRELAND WHO CAPTURLu 
PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S ASSASSIN 




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UYMAN J. GAGE-SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 



McKlNLEY ON THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY. ITT 

the country maritime strength commensurate with its iiulustrial 
achievements and with its rank among- the nations of the eartli. 
"The past year has recorded exceptional activity in our ship- 
yards, and the promises of continued prosperity in ship building 
are abundant. Advanced legislation for the protection of our 
seamen has been enacted. Our coast trade, under regulations 
wisely framed at the beginning of the government and since, 
shows results for the last fiscal year un equaled in our records or 
those of any other power. We shall fail to realize our oppor- 
tunities, however, if we complacently regard only matters at home, 
and blind ourselves to the necessity of securing our share in the 
valuable carr3dng trade of the world." I now reiterate these 
views. 

GREAT WATERV/AY WANTED. 

A subject of immediate importance to our country is the 
completion of a great waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific. 
The construction of a maritime canal is now more than ever 
indispensable to that intimate and read}^ communication between 
our Eastern and Western seaports demanded by the annexation 
of the Hawaiian Islands and the expansion of our influence and 
trade in the Pacific. 

Our national policy more imperatively than ever calls for its 
completion and control by this government ; and it is believed 
that the next session of Congress, after receiving the full report 
of the commission appointed under the act approved JNIarch 3, 
1899, will make provisions for the sure accomplishment of this 
great work. 

Combinations of capital which control the market in com- 
modities necessary to the general use of the people, by suppress- 
ing natural and ordinary competition, thus enhancing prices to 
the general consumer, are obnoxious to the common law and the^ 
public welfare. They are dangerous conspiracies against the 
public good, and should be made the subject of prohibitor}^ or 
penal legislation. Publicity will be a helpful influence to check 
this evil. Uniformity of legislation in the several States should 

be secured. Discrimination between what is iniurious and what 
ja McK 



m McKlNLEV 0^ THE CONDITION OF THE COtlNTRV. 

is useful and necessary in business operations is essential to the 
wise at d effective treatment of this subject. Honest co-operation 
of capital is necessary to meet new business conditions and 
extend our rapidly increasing foreign trade, but conspiracies and 
combinations intended to restrict business, create monopolies 
and control prices should be effectively r:istrained. 

The best service which can be rendered to labor is to afford it 
an opportunity for steady and remunerative employment, and 
give it every encouragement for advancement. The policy that 
subserves this end is the true American policy. The last three 
years have been more satisfactor}^ to American workingmen than 
many preceeding years. Any change of the present industrial or 
financial policy of the government v/ould be disastrous to their 
highest interests. With prosperity at home and an increasing 
foreign market for American products, employment should con- 
tinue to wait upon labor, and with the present gold standard the 
workingman is secured against payments for his labor in a de- 
preciated currency. 

SHORT DAY FOR LABOR. 

For labor, a short day is better than a short dollar ; one win 
lighten the burdens, the other lessen the rewards of toil. The 
one will promote contentment and independence ; the other penurjr 
and want. The wages of labor should be adequate to keep the 
home in comfort, educate the children, and, with thrift and 
economy, lay something by for the days of infirmity and old ag2. 

Practical civil service reform has always had the support and 
encouragement of the Republican party. The future of the merit 
system is safe in its hands. 

During the present administration, as occasions have arisen 
for modification or amendments in the existing civil service law 
and rules, they have been made. Important amendments were 
promulgated by Executive order under date of May 29, 1S99, 
having for their principal purpose the exception from competitive 
examination of certain places involving fiduciary responsibilities 
or duties of a strictly confidential, jcie-tific or executive character, 



M;K:.INLEV on THK condition of the country. 170 

whicli it \/SLS tliouglit might better be filled either by non-com- 
petitive e>,amination or b}' other tests of fitness in the discretion 
of the appointing officer. It is gratifying that the experience of 
more than a year has vindicated these changes in the marked 
improvement of the public: service. 

The :.nerit system, as far as practicable, is made the basis for 
appointm<!nts to office in our new territory. 

The American people are profoundly grateful to the soldiers, 
sailors an 1 marines, who have, in every time of conflict, fought 
their country's battles and defended its honor. The survivors 
and the widows and the orphans of those who have fallen are 
justly entitled to receive the generous and considerate care of the 
nation. Few are now left of those who fought in the Mexican 
War, and v/hile many of the veterans of the Civil War are still 
spared to u.^-, their numbers are rapidly diminishing, and age and 
infirmit}^ are increasing their dependence. 

CARE FOR OLD SOLDIERS. 

These, with the soldiers of the Spanish War, will not be neg- 
lected b}^ th^nr grateful countrj^men. The pension laws have 
been liberal. They should be justly administered, and will be. 
Preference should be given to the soldiers, sailors and marines, 
their widows ai:d orphans, with respect to employment in the public 
service. 

We have been in possession of Cuba since the first of Januar}^, 
1899. We have restored order and established domestic tran- 
quillit}^ We htive fed the starving, clothed the naked, and 
ministered to the sick. We have improved the sanitary condition 
of the island. We have simulated industry, introduced public 
education, and takmi a full and comprehensive enumeration of 
the inhabitants. The qualification of electors has been settled, 
and under it oftlcers have been chosen for all the municipalities 
of Cuba. These local governments are now in operation, admin- 
istered bj^ the people. 

An election has bf on ordered to be held on the 15th of Sep- 
tember, under a fair elecdou law already tried in the municipal 



180 Mckinley on the condition of the country. 

elections, to choose members of a Constitutional Convention, and 
the convention, by the same order, is to assemble on the first 
Monday of November to frame a constitution upon which an 
independent government for the island will rest. All this is a 
long step in the fulfillment of our sacred guarantee to the peole of 
Cuba. 

We hold Porto Rico by the same title as the Philippines. 
The treaty of peace which ceded us the one conveyed to us 
the other. Congress has given to this island a government in 
which the inhabitants participate, elect their own legislature, enact 
their own local laws, provide their own system of taxation, and in 
these respects have the same power and privileges enjoyed by 
other territories belonging to the United States, and a much larger 
measure of self-government than was given to the inhabitants of 
Louisiana under Jefferson. 

ESTABLISHING A GOVERNMENT. 

A district court of the United States for Porto Rico has been 
established and local courts have been inaugurated, all of which 
are in operation. The generous treatment of the Porto Ricans 
accords with the most liberal thought of our own country and 
encourages the best aspirations of the people of the island. 

While they do not have instant free commercial intercourse 
with the United States, Congress complied with my recommenda- 
tion by removing, on May i, eighty-five per cen-t. of the duties 
and providing for the removal of the remaining fiteen per cent, on 
the 1st of March, 1902, or earlier if the Legislature of Porto Rico 
shall provide local revenues for the expenses of conducting the 
government. During this intermediate period Porto Rican prod- 
ucts coming into the United States pay a tariff of fifteen per cent, 
of the rates under the Dingley act, and our goods going to Porto 
Rico pay a like rate. 

The duties thus paid and collected both in Porto Rico and 
the United States are paid to the Government of Porto Rico and 
no part thereof is taken by the National Government. All of the 
duties from November i, 1898, to June 30, 1900, aggregating the 



McKINLEY ON THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY W 

sum of $2,250,523.21, paid at tlie Custom House in the United 
States upon Porto Rican products, under the laws existing prior 
to the above mentioned act of Congress, have gone into the 
Treasury of Porto Rico to relieve the destitute and for schools 
and other public purposes. In addition to this we have made 
expenditures for relief, education and improvement. 

For the sake of full and intelligent understanding of the 
Philippine question, and to give to the people authentic informa- 
tion of the acts and aims of the administration, President Mc- 
Kinley presents at some length in excerpts from his messa:^es 
and other state papers, the events of importance leading up to the 
present situation, and then says of the Filipinos : 

*' Every effort has been directed to their peace and prosperity, 
their advancement and well being, not for our aggrandizement 
nor for pride of might, nor for trade or commerce, not for exploita- 
tion, but for humanity and civilization, and for the protection of 
the vast majority of the population who welcome our sovereignty 
against the designing minority whose first demand after the 
surrender of Manila by the Spanish army, was to enter the city 
that they might loot it and destroy those not in sympathy with 
their selfish and treacherous designs. 

WHAT WAS TO BE DONE? 

"Would not our adversaries have sent Dewey's fleet to 
Manila to capture and destroy the Spanish sea power there, or, 
despatching it there, would they have withdrawn it after the de- 
struction of the Spanish fleet ; and if the latter, whither would 
they have directed it to sail ? Where could it have gone ? What 
port of the Orient was open to it ? Do our adversaries condemn 
the expedition under the command of General Merritt to 
strengthen Dewey in the distant ocean and assist in our triumph 
over Spain, with which nation we were at war ? Was it not our 
highest duty to strike Spain at every vulnerable point, that the war 
might be successfully concluded at the earliest practical moment.-* 

"And was it not our duty to protect the lives and propert}^ of 
those who came ^yithiu our control by the fortunes of war? 



182 McKlNLEY ON THE CONDITION OK THE COUNTRY. 

Could we have come away at any time between May i, 1898, and 
the conclusion of peace without a stain upon our good name? 
Could we have come away without dishonor at any time after the 
ratification of the peace treaty by the Senate of the United 
States ? 

"There has been no time since the destruction of the enemy's 
fleet when we could or should have left the Philippine archi- 
pelaga After the treaty of peace was ratified, no power but Con- 
gress could surrender our sovereignty or alienate a foot of the 
territory thus acquired. The Congress has not seen fit to do one 
or the other, and the President had no authority to do either if he 
had been so inclined, which he was not. So long as the sover- 
eignty remains in us it is the duty of the executive, whoever he 
may be, to uphold that sovereignty, and if it be attacked to sup- 
press its assailants. Would our political adversaries do less ? 

THE REAL ISSUE. 

" With all the exaggerated phrase-making of this electoral 
contest we are in danger of being diverted from the real conten- 
tion. We are in agreement with all of those who supported the 
war with Spain, and also with those who counseled the ratification 
of the treaty of peace. Upon these two great essential steps 
there can be no issue, and out of these came all of our responsi- 
bilities. If others would shirk the obligations imposed by the 
war and the treaty, we must decline to act further with them, and 
here the issue was made. 

" It is our purpose to establish in the Philippines a govern- 
ment suitable to the wants and conditions of the inhabitants, and 
to prepare them for self-government, and to give them self- 
government when they are ready for it, and as rapidly as they 
are ready for it. That I am aiming to do under my constitutional 
authority, and will continue to do until Congress shall determine 
the political status of the inhabitants of the archipelago. 

" Are our opponents against the treaty? If so they must be 
reminded that it could not have been ratified in the Senate but 
for their assistance. The Senate which ratified the treaty and 



Mckinley on the condition of the country. isa 

tlie Congress whicH added its sanction by a large appropriation 
comprised Senators and Representatives of the people of all 
parties. 

" Would our opponents surrender to the insurgents, abandon 
our sovereignty or cede it to them ? If that be not their purpose, 
then it should promptly be disclaimed for only evil can result 
from the hopes raised by our opponents in the minds of the 
Filipinos, that with their success at the polls in November there 
will be a withdrawal of our army and of American sovereignty 
over the archipelago ; the complete independence of the Tagalog 
people recognized and the powers of government over all the 
other people of the archipelago conferred upon the Tagalog leaders. 

RUSHING US ON TO WAR. 

" There were those who, two years ago, were rushing us on to 
war with Spain, who are unwilling now to accept its clear conse- 
quence, as there are those among us who advocated the ratification 
of the treaty of peace, but now protest against its obligations. 
Nations which go to war must be prepared to accept its resultant 
obligations, and when they make treaties must keep them. 

" Those who profess to distrust the liberal and honorable pur- 
poses of the administration in its treatment of the Philippines are 
not justified. Imperialism has no place in its creed or conduct. 
Freedom is a rock upon which the Republican party was builded, 
and now rests. Liberty is the great Republican doctrine for 
which the people went to war, and for which a million lives were 
offered and billions of dollars were expended to make it a lawful 
legacy of all, without the consent of master or slave. 

" If our opponents would only practice as well as preach the 
doctrines of Abraham Lincoln, there would be no fear for the 
safety of our institutions at home or their rightful influence in 
any territory over which our flag floats. Empire has been ex- 
pelled from Porto Rico and the Philippines by American freemen. 
The flag of the Republic now floats over these islands as an 
emblem of rightful sovereignty. Will the Republic stay and 
dispense to their inhabitants the blessing of liberty, education 



1S4 Mckinley on the condition of the country. 

and free institutions, or steal away, leaving them to anarchy and 
imperialism ? 

" The American question is between duty and desertion — the 
American verdict will be for duty and against desertion ; for the 
Republic, against both anarchy and imperialism. 

" The country has been fully advised of the purposes of the 
United States in China, and they will be faithfully adhered to as 
already defined. 

" Not only have we reason for thanksgiving for our material 
blessings, but we should rejoice in the complete unification of the 
people of all sections of our country that has so happily 
developed in the last few years and made for us a more perfect 
Union. 

"The obliteration of old differences, the common devotion to 
the flag and the common sacrifices for its honor, so conspicuously 
shown by the men of the North and the South in the Spanish 
war, have so strengthened the ties of friendship and mutual 
respect that nothing can ever divide us. The nation fiices the 
new century gratefully and hopefully, v/ith increasing love of 
country, with firm faith in its free institutions and with high 
resolve that they ' shall not perish from the earth.' 

" Very respectfully yours, 

" WILLIAM M'KINLEY." 

It was universally conceded that in this letter Mr. McKin- 
ley had furnished a masterly statement of the political condition 
of our countr}^ It was the thoughtful estimate of a statesman 
and a patriot — one who loved his country and rejoiced in her pros- 
perity. His statements were gratifying to all parts of the land. 
He paid a high and merited compliment to the soldiers of every 
section who sprang to arms at the outbreak of our war with 
Spain. 

His knowledge of the interior condition and prospects of our 
commercial trade enabled him to speak with authority upon these 
points and his language was reassuring. It was a message of 
good cheer to the nation. 



PRINCIPAL EVENTS DURING PRESIDENT 
McKINEEY'S ADMINISTRATION. 

1897. 
Inaugurated Marcli 4. 

Fifty-fifth. Congress convened March 15. 

A new Extradition Treaty between the United States and Brazil 

signed at Rio, May 16. 
Dingley Tariff law passed, July 24. 
Attorney-General Joseph McKenna, of California, appointed to th j 

Supreme Bench, December 16. 

1S98. 

City of Greater New York inaugurated, January i. 

J. W. Griggs, of New Jersey, Attorney-General, January 25. 

Meeting of the National Monetary Convention at Indianapolis to 

devise currency reform, January 25. 
The battleship Maine destro3^ed in Havana barbor, February 15. 
Congress appropriates $50,000,000 for national defence, March 8. 
Congress recognizes Cuban independence, April 16. 
War declared against Spain, April 21. 

Resignation of John Sberman, Secretary of State, April 25. 
Dewey destroys the Spanish fleet at Manila, May i. 
Lieutenant Hobson sinks the " Merrimac," June 3. 
Cervera's squadron destroj^ed off Santiago, July 3. 
Hawaii annexed to the United States, Jni'y 6. 
Treaty of peace signed with Spain^ December 10. 

1899. 

Flag raised over Guam, February i. 

Treaty of peace witli Spain ratified by Senate, February 6. 

First encounter between Americans and Filipinos, February 4 

Peace Conference at the Hague, May 18. 

Resignation of Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War, July 19. 

Elihu Root appointed Secretary of War, July 22. 

Thomas B. Reed resigns his place in Congress, August 22. 

The Venezuela award made, October 3. 

m 



186 PRINCIPAL EVENTS DURING McKINLEVS ADMINISTRATION. 

A modus Vivendi auent tlie Alaskan boundary dispute adopted, 

October 12 
Samoan treaty signed, December 2. 
Lawton killed in tlie Philippines, December 19. 

1900. 
The United States Senate ratified the Samoan treat}^, January 16. 
President McKinley signed the gold standard bill, March 14. 
Foraker Porto Rican Act passed by Congress, April 12. 
Chinese begin their attacks on the Legations in Pekin, June 19. 
McKinley renominated at Philadelphia, June 21. 
The allies capture Pekin, August 14. 
John Sherman died, October 22. 
A convention to frame a constitution for Cuba began its sessions 

at Havana, November 5. 
McKinley re-elected, November 6. 
Ministers of the powers in Pekin sign a joint note, December 22. 

1901. 
Hopkins reapportionment bill defeated, January 8. 
Incorporatian of the billion dollar Steel Trust, February 23. 
Death of William M. Evarts, February 28. 
The adoption of the Piatt Amendment, February 28. 
President McKinley' second Inauguration, March 4. 
Death of former President Harrison, March 13. 
Capture of Aguinaldo, March 23. 

President McKinley started on his Western tour April 20. 
Western tour abandoned because of Mrs. McKinley's ill health, 

May 12. 
Pan-American Exposition opened at Buffalo, May i. 
Supreme Court's decision on the Insular Cases, May 27. 
President AIcKinley positively refused to be a candidate for a 

third term, June 11. 
President AIcKinley arrived at Buffalo and made his famous 

address at the Pan-American Exposition, September k. 
Assassinated, September 6. 



PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S LIFE IN BRIEF. 

1843— Born at Niles, Trumbull county, O., January 29. 

i86i~Bnlisted in Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry at the 
age of eighteen. 

1865 — Mustered out of service with rank of Captain and Brevet 
Major. 

1869 to 1871 — Prosecuting Attorney of Stark county. 

1879 — Elected to Fifty-fifth Congress. 

1888 — Refused to allow his name to be presented for the Presi- 
dency, and held Ohio delegation for Senator John Sherman. 

1889 — Became Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of 
the House of Representatives and drafted McKinlc}^ tariff bill 

1890 — Defeated for re-election to Congress. 

1 89 1 — Retired from Congress March 4. 

1891 — Elected Governor of Ohio. 

1893 — Re-elected Governor of Ohio. 

1896 — Nominated for President and elected by a plurality of 
814,831. 

1897— Inaugurated President March 4. 

1900 — Re-nominated and re-elected President by a plurality of 
832,280. 

1901 — Inaugurated President for second term March 4. 

1901— Shot down by an assassin at Buffalo, September 6. 

1 90 1 — Died at Buffalo, September 14. 

1901 — Obsequies at Buffalo, at Washington and Canton, Septem- 
ber 15, 17 and 19. 

The pathetic circumstances of the death of President 
McKinley, the simple manliness with which he faced " the doom 
we dread," the infinite cruelty and appalling injustice of his 
assassination and the profound sympathy felt for his invalid wife 
make it difficult if not impossible to speak of the career of the 
dead ruler with the moderation of the careful historian. The 
critical spirit is dumb in the presence of the dead who die for the 
nation, as McKinley died. In the hours of dire foreboding and 
of ph3^sical pain, as when he became conscious of the inevitable 
end, he was the patient, uncomplaining and brave man who meets 



18^ 



Mckinley on the coNi^irioN of the country. 



the worst without bravado but also without fear, and who accepts 
the decree of death as the will of Heaven. At no time in his 
varied and successful career had his character seemed so admir- 
able as in the last trying hours. 

THE THREE MARTYRED PRESIDENTS. 

The careers of no public men better represent the possibili- 
ties of American life than those of the three Presidents who have 
fallen at the hands of assassins. All were poor boys with no 
other aids to ambition than their own qualities of character. In 
his amiable frailties as a public man not less that in his strong- 
est attributes the President whose death we mourn was a repre- 
sentative American. Born in Ohio where the streams of trans- 
allegheny migration from North and South met and commingled 
and political agitation was ceaseless, at a time when the over- 
shadowing sectional question pressed for final settlement, and 
having been educated chiefly in the public schools, where all the 
influence was democratic, it was natural and almost inevitable 
that the iirst ambition of the young man William McKinley 
shoul be political. 

He demonstrated the depth and sincerity of his youthful 
patriotism by enlisting as a private soldier in the volunteer army 
for the preservation of the Union. In that service he revealed an 
amiability of temperament which easily won the votes of his fel- 
lows m favor of his promotion and assured the popularity of his 
later years. He was a friendly man, and he loved his fellow men 

At the time when as a young lawyer William McKinley 
entered actively into politics party lines were strongly drawn 
Not to be a Republican was almost to be a traitor in the eves of 
the leaders of " Ben " Wade's type. It would have been peculiar 
ifyoung McKinley had been less devoted to his party or less 
submissive to its decrees. The spirit of that time continued to 
influence his political actions throughout his lifetime, and it will 
account for the degree to which the President was willing to 
recede from his own opinion whenever it was opposed by the 
aggressive leaders of his party. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Story of til Assassination of President McKinley — Graphic 
Picture of the I'ragic Act — The Assassin Caught sr.d 
Roughly Handled — Public Indignation and Horror. 

FIVE minutes before the appalling tragedy that ended the life 
of the President, the dense crowd was in the most cheerful 
humor, in the Temple of Music, at the Pan-American Exposition 
in Buffalo. The police had experienced no trouble of any kind, 
and when the President's carriage, containing besides the Chief 
Executive, President Milburn of the Pan-iVmerican Exposition, 
and Private Secretary Cortelyou drove up to the side entrance of 
the Temple, it was met by a mighty salute of cheers and 
applause. 

The three gentlemen alighted, and were escorted to the door 
of the building. Immediately the carriage containing Secret 
Service Operatives, George Foster and S. R. Ireland, drove up 
and these detectives, with several other Secret Service men, en- 
tered the building together. Inside they were met by Director 
General Buchanan, who had arrived but a moment before, and he 
directed them as to where to stand. 

In passing to the place, the President took off his hat and 
smiled pleasantly to a little group of newspaper men and to the 
guards whi':h had been stationed in the place. To one of the 
reporters he spoke, smilingh^, saying : " It is much cooler in here 
isn't it ? " The interior of the building had been arranged for the 
purpose. From the main entrance, which opens to the southeast 
from the Temple on the wide esplanade, where the thousands had 
gathered, an aisle had been made through the rows of seats in the 
buildino: to near the centre. 

This aisle was about eight feet v.dde, and turned near the 
ceniie to the southwest door of the temple, so that there was -^ 
passage dividing the south part of the structure into a rigbi 

xm 



190 STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

angle. It was so arranged tliat the people, who would shake Bands 
with the President would enter at the southeast door, meet the 
President in the centre and then pass on out the southwest door. 
From the southeast door, and extending on up to and around 
the curve, was a line of soldiers from the Seventy-third Sea Coast 
Artillery on either side, and these were interspersed with neatly 
uniformed guards from the Exposition police, under the command 
of Captain Damer. When the Presidential party was within the 
building, the soldiers were ordered to come to " attention," and 
all took their places. 

WAITING FOR THE CROWD. 

The President was escorted to the centre of the palm bower, 
and Mr. Milburn took a position on his left so as to introduce the 
people as they came in. Secretary Cortelyou stood by the Presi- 
dent to the right, Secret Service Operator Foster, who has 
traveled everywhere with the President, took a position not more 
than two feet in front of Mr. Miburn, and Secret Service Opera- 
tor Ireland stood by his left, so that he was the same distance in 
front of the President as was Foster in front of the Exposition 
President. 

Through this narrow two-foot passage the people, who would 
meet the President, must pass, and when all was ready, with 
detectives scattered throughout the aisle, the President smiled to 
Mr. Buchanan, who was standing near the corporal in charge of 
the artillerymen, and said that he was ready to meet the people. 
He was very pleasant and, as he waited for the doors to open, he 
rubbed his hands together, adjusted his long Prince Albert coat, 
and laughingly chatted with Mr. Milburn, while vSecretar3r Cor- 
telyou gave a last few instructions to the officers as to the manner 
in which the crowds were to be hurried on through, so that as 
many as possible could meet the Executive. 

Mr. Milburn ordered the door open and immediately a waver- 
ing line of people, who had been squeezed against the outside of 
the door for hours, began to wend its way up through the line 
of soldiers and police to the place where the President stood. An 




Ground Plam of xm Pan-American Exposition at Buffau). 



m 



i92 STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION 

old man, witli silvery white liair, vvas the first to reach the 
President, and the little girl he carried on his shoulder received a 
warm salutation. 

Organist W. J. Gomph started on the sonata in F, by Bach ; 
low at first, and swelling gradualh' to more majestic proportions, 
until the whole auditorium was filled with the melodious tones of 
the big pipe organ. 

The crowd had been pouring through hardly more than five 
minutes, when the organist brought from his powerful instrument 
its loudest notes, drowning even the scuffle of feet. About half 
of the people who passed the President were women and children. 

TOOK SPECIAL NOTICE OF THE CHILDREN. 

To every child the President bent over, shook hands warmly 
and said some kinds words, so as to make the young heart glad. 
As each persou passed he was viewed critically by the secret ser- 
vice men. Their hands were watched, their faces and actions 
noted. Far down the line a man of unusual aspect, to some, 
appeared, taking his turn in the line. He was short, heavy, dark, 
and beneath a heavy mustache was a pair of straight, bfoodless 
lips. Under the black brows gleamed a pair of glistening black 
eyes. He was picked at once as a suspicious person, and when he 
reached Foster, the secret service man, he held his hand on him 
until he had reached the President and had clasped his hand. 
Ireland was equally alert, and the slightest move on the part of 
this man, who is now supposed to have been an accomplice, and 
for whom a search was promptly made, would have been checked 
by the officers. 

Immediately following this man was the assassin. He was 
a rather tall, boyish looking fellow, apparently twenty-five years 
oM, he was bom in America of Polish parents. His smooth^ 
rather pointed face would r-t indicate his purpose of slaying the. 
National Executive. 

The Secret Service men 2- ted that about his right hand wa^ 
wrapped <• handkerchief, and as he carried the hand uplifted, 
ftltiipugh *, ..^ported by a sling under his coat, the officers believed 



STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 193 

his hand was injured, and especiall}^ as he extended his left liand 
across the right so as to shake hands with the President. 

It was noticed that the Italian who was in front ot the 
assassin held back, apparently to shield the young man, so that 
it was necessary for Ireland to push him on. 

Innocently facing the assassin, the President smi! ?d as li 
extended his right hand to meet the V.ft of the man before hiL.. 
As the youth extended his left hand he whipped out his righl 
hand, the one which held the revolver, and before any one knew 
what was transpiring, two shots rang out, one following the other 
after the briefest portion of a second. For the first moment there 
was not a sound. 

HE SUDDENLY REELED BACK. 

The President drew his right hand quickly to his chest, 
raised his head and his eyes looked upward and rolled. He 
swerved a moment, reeled and was caught in the arms of Secre- 
tary Cortelyou to his right. Catching himself for the briefest 
second. President McKinley, whose face was now the whiteness 
of death, looked at the assassin as the of&cers and soldiers bore 
him to the floor, and said feebly, " May God forgive him." The 
President was carried first one way, then a step in another direc- 
tion. The excitement was so sudden and the pandemonium so 
great, that for a minute no one knew what to do. Finally, some 
one said to carry him inside the purple edge of the aisle and seat 
him. This was the only thing to do at the moment and prepa- 
rations were made at once to find a resting place. 

A couple of men tore the benches aside and trampled the 
bunting down, while Mr. Milburn and Secretary Cortelyou half 
carried the President over the line and into the passageway leading 
to the stage, which had not been used. The President was able 
to walk a little, but was leaning easily on his escorts. In passing 
over the bunting his foot caught, and for a moment he stumbled. 
A reporter extricated the wounded man's foot, and the President 
was carried to a seat, where a half dozen men stood by and fanned 
him vigorously. 

13 McK 



194 STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

Quick call was sent for doctors and to tlie ambulance. 
While seated for a moment, Secretary Cortelyou leaned over 
the President, and inquired : " Do you feel mucli pain ? " White 
and trembling the President slipped his hand into the opening 
of his shirt front, near the heart, and said: "This wound pains 
o-reatlv." As the President v/ithdrew his hand, the first and 
second finders were covered v/ith blood. He looked at them, his 
hand dropped to his side, and he became faint. His head 
dropped heavil}- to his cliest, and those about him turned away. 

"O MY GOD, ARE YOU SHOT?" 

Minister Aspiroz, of Mexico, broke through the little crowd 
excitedly, and awakened the faint into which the President had 
sunk by dramatically exclaiming in English : "O m}- God, Mr. 
President, are you shot ? " While the excited diplomat was being 
restrained from caressing tlie Executive, and falling at his feet, 
the President replied, gasping between each word: "Yes — I — 
believe — I — am." 

The President's head then fell backward, lie partially fainting 
again. Mr. Milburn placed his hand back of the wounded man's 
head, and offered a support for it. This seemed to resuscitate the 
President, and afterward he sat stoically in the chair, his legs 
spread out on the floor and his lips clinched firml}', as though he 
would fight determinedly against death, should it be appearing. 
He was giving the fight of a soldier, and more than one turned 
away, and tremblingl}- — all in the building trembled and shook, 
not from fear, but the tension, and remarked : "He is certainly 
a soldier." 

While all this was transpiring, the drama had not 3'et ended 
on the scene of the shooting. The shots had hardly been fired 
when Foster and Ireland were on top of the assassin. Ireland, 
quick as thought, had knocked the smoking weapon from the 
man's hand, and at the same time he and his companion officer, 
with a dozen Exposition police and as many artillerymen, literally 
crushed him to the floor. While the President was being; led 
away, the artillerymen and guards cleared the building in a few 



STORY OF THi ASSASSINATION. 



m 



mmutes of those who had entered to meet the President, bnttodo 
this it was necessary to draw their sabre bayonets and use extreme 
force. 

FOSTER CLUTCHED HIM BY THE THROAT. 

Foster reached under the crowd, and by his almost super- 
human strength pulled the intending murderer from under the 
heap. The assassin was grabbed by a half dozen guards and 
soldiers and by the secret ser\ace men who were near the scene 
at the time. Forcing the youth, for that is what he is, to the 
open, Foster clutched him by the throat with his left hand, and 
saying : " You murderer !" then struck him a most vicious blow 
wdth his fist squarely in the face. The blow was so powerful that 
the man was sent through the guards and went sprawling upon 
the floor. He hardly touched the floor, when he was again set 
upon, this time b}^ the guards and soldiers. He was kicked 
repeatedly, until Captain Darner rushed in and drew back the 
guards. Foster made another attempt to get at the assassin, but 
he was held back, although he protested that he had possession 
of his mind and that he knew what he was doing. The prisoner 
was hurried into a little room just off the west stage of the 
Temple of Music, being dragged through the crowd by Patrolmen 
James and McCaule}-. His lip was bleeding and his face was 
swelling from James's blows. Around him there were a group of 
ofiicers. Once inside, the door was closed with a bang, and the 
mob surging against that door of the building, with a blind im- 
pulse to get near him, fairh^ made the walls creak. 

The entire scene in the room was for a moment confusion. 
There were eager officials going in and out of the door. Some 
people were trying to conceal the fact that the prisoner was there, 
and others betraying the fact in a loud voice as soon as they had left 
the room. One excited Exposition official invited the people to go 
in and get the man as he hurried out on some mission that had 
come to him. 

In the room v.-ith the prisoner were Colonel Byrne, Command' 
*nl of the Exposition Police; Captain Vallely, Chief of the Detec 



108 StORY OF THE ASSASSIN ATlOr^. 

tive Bureau; Detective Ziegler, Buffalo Police Detectives Solomon 
and Geary, Secret Servicemen Sam Ireland, Foster and Captain 
Darner, of tlie Exposition Police ; Major Robertson oftlie Exposi- 
tion Police ; Mr. John N. Scatchered and a few others coming and 
going- 

COWARDLY CONDUCT OF THE ASSASSIN. 

Czolgosz was on the table in the room, and sat there, now and 
then putting his sleeve to his lip ; at other times looking at the 
floor or keeping his shoes close together, rubbing them nervously. 
He would now and then breathe deeply with his nervous 
agitation, but for other signs there were none. He remained silent. 
Outside the building could be seen the great tumultuous throng 
of people. From all quarters of the grounds they were gathering 
toward the common centre. Now and then a woman's face, red 
with the heat, could be seen peering up over the heads of those in 
front, and struggling to raise her hand, she would wipe away the 
tears from her eyes- On a lofty porch on one of the great staff 
flower jardinieres an old man, with a long white beard, a broad 
brimmed veteran's hat and a G. A. R. button in his lapel, sat 
shaking his head in sorrow. 

Now and then some man's voice would call out, " Don't let 
him get away ! " and there would be a score of answering shouts of 
*'KilJ him! Hang him !" "Take him up on the arch and burn 
him ! » 

Around thv, main doors was a squad of fifteen police and a detach- 
ment of the United vStates marines. They had just arrived at 
the station and were in command of Captain Leonard. They 
formed their line, and in a loud clear voice, came the order, 
"Load rifles!" The breeches clicked, and the men held up to 
plain view the hard steel and the encasing brass as they filled the 
Lee-Metfords with cartridges. The moral effect was obvious, for 
the women started the movement ta draw back, and the tense 
wave of vengeance seemed broken. Men and women who had 
been dry eyed began to cry. The lips of soldiers and policemen 
were twitching, but the heads on the broad shoulders were 



STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. m 

motionless as the breatli was held firm and steady. So men 
look when facing ' migKtv duty, with a mighty heart. The 
little room, where ""he prison ei was, contained a quantity of rope 
of different size*^ and sorts. It is the rope used for shutting oft 
the esplanade at times or anil and especial fetes. " Rope off 
the south approaches ^o me baildin^^ so that we can get the wagon 
inhere,' said C'o^one! Byrne. "You will never get that wagon 
with him in it forty feet away," said Sam Ireland. 

HURRYING THE CULPRIT TO PRISON. 

" We must have a carriage and horses ; the people can stop 
an automobile better than they can horses." Some distance 
away was the carriage in which a portion of the committee had 
come to the Temple of Music. 

"Get that carriage over there," said Scatcherdto the sergeant 
of the police at the southwest door. On the box of the carriage 
was a stockily built little Irish coachman. As he received his 
orders that it was to be his carriage that was to take away the 
would-be assassin through that eager, bloodthirsy, vengeful mob, 
a slow smile of pleasure spread into a delighted grin. "All right," 
he said curtly, and never another word until the prisoner was safe 
behind bars. 

' Colonel Byrne, send for another platoon of police. Had you 
not better get them from the Second Precinct ? Gentlemen, every 
minute of this delay is making the task all the more dangerous. 
This crowd is getting more and more worked up, and it is getting 
bigger. It reaches way out over the esplanade now. Give this 
man to me, and I give you my word I will get him to Buffalo. 
Here are two Buffalo officers who will go with me." 

"The best plan is to jump him right into this carriage 
coming, and get right out of here," said Samuel Ireland. Captain 
Damer and Colonel Byrne quietly directed exterior movements of 
the police and informed the military guards, both marines and 
artillerymen. 

The roped off space was sufficient to admit the carriage. 
Colonel Byrne gave the signal. Guards James and McCauley 



IM STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

were on either cide of the prisoner on the edge of the table. Cap- 
tain Vallely led the way, and Detectives Solomon and Geary just 
behind. The Irish coachman whipped up his team, dashed into 
the door, the marines and artillerymen dropped their guns till 
the bayonets were at charge. The carriage drew up at the door, 
a policeman swung open the carriage door. The door of the 
southwest entrance, leading into the little room opened, and out 
came the prisoner and convoy. He was literally hurled into the 
carriage b}^ the burly patrolmen. Secret Serviceman Foster 
slammed the door, and the carriage was off on a mad dash for the 
triumphal causeway and the Lincoln Park gateway beyond. 

WILD CRIES FROM THE ENRAGED CROWD. 

At the minute the carriage drew up a wild mad surge of the 
people came from all the other doors, for a ragged yell had gone 
up, "Here he comes! This door, this door!" The lines of soldiers 
and policemen swayed but held firm, "There he is I Kill him 1 
Kill him! Hit him! Hit him! Don't let that carriage get away, 
you cowards! Stop it! Hang him! Kill the bloody Anarchist!" 
was a Bedlam of curses and yells from people fighting in closer, 
waving their fists, with here and there a revolver gleaming, as its 
bearer threw it up in the sunlight above his head for the safety of 
those around him. The roar of that mob was a sound never to 
be forgotten by any who have heard it. It had the deadly, intense 
growl, the wild, bloodthirsty shriek, and the savage note that is 
heard only in the voices of the angered mob. 

As the carriage moved away Captain Vallely swung himself 
free from the crowd of officers and leaped with one bound to the 
seat beside the coachman. As the carriage forged its way to the 
limit beyond the rope men, and even women, sprang forward and 
caught the fenders, snatched at the horses' harness, and scores of 
them were struck by the horses' shoulders as the crowd behind 
refused to let them retire sufficiently to make passageway. The 
driver had a long, keen whip and plied it alternatively on the 
horses and the faces and heads of the crowd. Once, as th^ 
carriage neeured the triumphal causewiy, the crush became to^ 



STORV OF THE ASSASSINATION. ISV 

dense for it to seem possible to force tlirougli. Behind strong 
limbed, angry men were in pursuit in the wake, the carriage had 
seemed to swirl them in, and they were franticalU^ endeavor- 
ing to find a liold on the smooth, polished surface and the rounded 
corners as they would slip and fall and be trampled on. 

t 
TERRIBLE EXECRATIONS ON THE ASSASSIN. * 

9 
It looked as if the carriage was going to be stopped in front, 

but the coachman smiled, and standing up sped his long lash out 

in front over the horses' heads. They increased their speed to a 

gallop and the crowd succeeded in opening. Once on the cause- 

wav all was well, for the outer limits of the crowd had been reached 

and the narrowness of the way beyond, as well as the downhill 

slope, facilitated the movement. 

Hard and fast the carriage went to the Lincoln Park gate, 
which swung open as the carriage drew near. From this point 
straight down Delaware avenue the journey was uninterrupted, 
only that three or four bicyclists followed, and spread the news. 
The prisoner from the moment he had touched the cushions of the 
carriage cowered in the rear left hand corner, now and then rais- 
ing his head ; as he would look out of the windows when fighting 
through the crowd, and he could hear their awful impre- 
cations as they struggled to get near enough to take the vengeance 
of brutes, convulsive shivers ran through his slender bod}-, and his 
eyes rolled with terror. His lipr were dry and parched, and he 
wetted them constantly with his tongue. Just south of Utica 
street the carriage met the light police wagon, containing Super- 
intendent of Bufialo Police Bull, who wheeled, and followed the ^ 
carriage down to headquarters, at Station No. i, at the junction of 
the Terrace, Erie and Seneca streets. 

The carriage drew up sharply, and the prisoner was taken in 
while a score of idlers about looked on with bare interest A 
moment later, the bike men who were following had told them 
that the President had been shot, and the man who had done it 
was the prisoner who had just been taken in. From that germ 
the mob fever grew and swelled. All over the vicinity, intt the 



200 STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION, 

neighboring saloons and railroad men's quarters, the tidings spread 
and knots of people that formed the nucleus of the downtown mob 
began to collect. Back at the Temple of Music the crowd con- 
tinued to grow larger. Rumors spread that the man who had 
done the shooting was still in the building, and it was necessary 
to hold the guards there for hours. The very fact that the guards 
remained convinced the people that they had been made victims of 
a ruse, and it was at a late hour that the last of the throng dis- 
persed. 

IDENTITY OF THE ASSASSIN DISCOVERED. 

It was learned by the police shortly before midnight that the 
ihan who attempted President McKinley's life is Leon F. 
Czolgosz, a Polish lad, who came from Cleveland. 

The prisoner at first proved quite communicative, so much 
so, in fact, that little dependence could be placed on what he said. 
He first gave his name as Fred Neiman, said his home was in 
Detroit, and that he had been in Buffalo about a week. He said 
he had been boarding at a place in Broadway. Later this place 
was located as John Nowak's saloon, a Raines law hotel, No 
1078 Broadway. Here the prisoner occupied room 8. Nowak^ 
the proprietor, said he knew very little about his guest. 

He came there, he declared, last Saturday, sa3dng he 
had come to see the Pan-American, and that his home wa.s in 
Toledo. He had been alone at all times about Nowak'.<; pjn.ce, 
and had no visitors. In his room was found a small irj /cling 
bag of cheap make. It contained an empty cartridge hex and a 
few clothes. With these facts in hand, the police v,ent at the 
prisoner with renewed vigor, in the effort to obtain cither a full 
confession or a straight account of his identity SLifS movement* 
prior to his arrival in Buffalo. He at first admit yjd that he was 
an Anarchist in sympathy at least, but denied strenuously thaf 
the attempt on the life of the President was ihe result of a pre 
concerted plot on the part of any Anarchist /ociety. 

At times he was defiant and again indifferent. But at ne 
time did he betray the remotest sign o{ remorse. He declared 



STORY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 201 

the deed was not premeditated, but in the same breath refused to 
say why he perpetrated it. When charged by District Attorney 
Penny with being the instrument of an organized band of con- 
spirators, he protested vehemently that he never even tliouglit of 
perpetrating the crime until this morning. After long and per- 
sistent questioning, it was announced at police headquarters that 
the prisoner had made a partial confession, which he had signed. 

HIS BOASTFUL CONFESSION. 

As near as can be learned the facts contained in thv. 
confession are as follows : 

The man's name is Leon Czolgosz. He is of decided Polish 
extraction. His home is in Cleveland. He is an avowed Anar- 
chist, and an ardent disciple of Emma Goldman, whose teachings, 
he alleges, are responsible for to-day's attack on the President. 
He denies steadfastly that he is the instrument of any body of 
Anarchists, or the tool of any coterie of plotters. He declares 
he did not even have a confederate. His only reason for the 
deed, he declares, is that he believed the present form of govern- 
ment in the United States was unjust, and he concluded the 
most effective way to remedy it was to kill the President. These 
conclusions, he declares, he reached through the teachings of 
Emma Goldman. 

He denies having any confederate, and says he bought 
the revolver with vv'hich the act was committed in Buffalo. He 
has seven brothers and sisters in Cleveland, and the Cleveland 
directory has the names of about that number living on Hosmer 
street and Acklaud avenue, which adjoin. Some of them are 
butchers and others in different trades. He shows no sign of 
insanit}^, but is very reticent about much of his career. While 
acknowledging himself an Anarchist, he does not state to what 
branch of the organization he belongs. 



CHAPTER X 

Additional Account of the Assassination— Two Shots in Quick 
Succession — Instant Lynching Threatened —Surgeons 
Summoned — Horror at the Dastardly Deed — The Nation 
Stunned by the Terrible News. 

BOTH shots took effect on the President. One struck the 
sternum, deviated to the right and stopped beneath the skin 
at the point directly below the right nipple. It was a superficial 
wound and the bullet was removed immediately after the arrival 
of surgeons. The second bullet entered and passed through the 
stomach. An operation, which was performed within two hours 
after the shooting, failed to find the bullet and the incision was 
sewed up. 

The President was removed to the home of John G. Milburn, 
President of the Pan-American Exposition, where, at midnight, he 
was resting comfortably. The physicians said they v/ere hopeful 
and that the wound was not necessarily fatal. 

The man .who did the shooting gave his name as Fred 
Nieman, which was an assumed name. He said he was 28 years 
old, a blacksmith by occupation, born in Detroit and had come to 
Buffalo the preceding Saturday. When asked why he shot the 
President, he said : "I only done my duty." 

He was asked if he was an Anarchist, and he said: "Yes, 
I am." 

The assassination had apparently been planned with care. 
The assassin entered the Temple of Music in the long line of 
those waiting to shake hands \\dth the President Over his right 
hand he wore a white handkerchief, as if the hand were bandaged. 
Beneath this handkerchief he had concealed a short-barrelled 33- 
caliber Derringer revolver. 

A little girl was immediately ahead of him in the line and 

tli« President, after patting her kindly on the head, turned with a 
20B 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF TH£ ASSASSINATION. qos 

smile of welcome and extended his hand. The miscreant thrust 
out both his hands, brushed aside the President's right hand, 
with his left hand, lurched forward against the President, and 
thrusting his right hand close against his breast, pulled the 
trigger twice. The shots came in such quick succession as to be 
j,lmost simultaneous. 

At the first shot the President quivered and clutched at hit i 
chest. At the second shot he doubled slightly forward and sank 
back. It all happened in an instant. Quick as he was, the 
assassin was not quick enough to fire a third shot. Almost 
before the noise of the firing sounded, he was seized by S. R. 
Ireland, of the United States Secret Service, in charge of the New 
York district, who stood directly opposite the President. Ireland 
hurled him to the floor. 

LEAPED ON HIM AS HE FELL. 

A negro, named John Parker, leaped upon him as he fell^ 
and they rolled over on the floor. Soldiers of the United States 
artillery, detailed at the reception, sprang upon the pair, and 
Exposition police and Secret Service detectives also rushed upon 
them. Detective Gallagher clutched the assassin's right hand, 
tore from it the handkerchief and seized the revolver. The artil- 
lerymen, seeing Gallagher with the revolver, grabbed him and 
held him poweriess, snatching the pistol from his grasp. Private 
Frank O'Brien, of the artillery, got the pistol. Gallagher held 
to the hankerchief. 

Ireland and the negro held the anarchist, endeavoring, with 
the aid of Secret Service Detective P'oster, to shield him from the ^ 
attacks of tUe infuriated artillerymen and the policemen's clubs. | 
Meanwhile the President, supported by Detective Geary and 
President Milburn, and surrounded by Secretary George B. Cor- 
telyou and a number of Exposition of&cials, was aided to a chair. 

His face was deathly v/hite. He made no outcry, but sank 
back with one hand holding his abdomen, the other fumbling at 
his breast. His eyes were open and he was clearly conscious of 
all that transpired. He looked up into President Milburn' s face 



204 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

and gasped the name of his secretary, Cortelyon- Mr. Cortelyou 
bent over the President, who gasped brokenl}^ : 

" Be careful about my wife. Do not tell her, or, at least, do 
not exaggerate it." 

Then, moved by a parox3^sm of pain, he writhed to the left 
and his eyes fell upon the prostrate form of his w^ouldbe murderer 
lying on the floor, bloodstained and helpless, beneath the blows 
of the guard. The President raised his right hand, stained with 
his own blood, and placed it on the shoulder of his secretary. 
"Let no one hurt him," he gasped, and sank back, as his secre- 
tary ordered the guard to bear the culprit out of the President's 

sight. 

SEARCHED BY THE POLICE. 

They carried him into a side room at the northeast corner 
of the temple. There they searched him and found upon him a 
letter relating to lodgings. They washed the blood from his face 
and asked him who he was and why he had done the dreadful 
deed. He made no answer at once, but finall}^ gave the name of 
Nieman. He was of medium height, smooth shaven, brown- 
haired, dressed as an ordinary mechanic. He offered no expla- 
nation of the bloody deed, except that he was an anarchist and 
had done his duty. 

An ambulance from the Exposition Emergency Hospital 
was summoned immediately, and the President, still conscious, 
sank upon the stretchers and, accompanied b}^ President Milburn 
and Secretary Cortelyou, was hurried to the hospital, where, in 
nine minutes after the shooting, he was awaiting the coming of 
surgeons who had been summoned instantly from all parts of the 
city and by special trains from near b}^ The President was 
entirely conscious as he lay on the stretcher in the hospital. He 
conversed with his Secretary and Mr. Milburn. 

"I am sorry," he said "to have been the cause of trouble to 
this Exposition or inconvenience to its of&cials or the people." 
The three thoughts in his mind were : Fir^t, for his wife ; second, 
that the assassin should not be harmed : third, regret for any 
inconvenience occasioned. 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. m 

The news of the shooting spread with great rapidity through- 
)tit the Exposition. People were dumbfonuded and appalled. 
Women wept. Sirong men asked where it had happened, and when 
they learned they turned with blanched faces and clenched hands 
toward the 1 emple of Ivlusic. The light of vengeance gleamed 
in their eyes as th : throng grew in.o a multitude. 

Inside th- Tv-m ^Ir., with the President gone and his assailant 
helpless _n a siac room, the projlem arose of how to get the 
assassin away from ta. grounds and beyond the reach of the 
people. Some advised hurrying him out by a back way, but even 
the back ways were watcned by the throng. Others advocated 
attempting the dash through the crowd with him, but this was 
abandoned when suggested. Guards were sent for and more 
details of soldiers. A carriage was called, a space had been roped 
off south of the Temple with a heavy rope. The crowd was soon 
dracrcrinp- out the iron stanchions holding this rope and was meas« 
uring it near a tall flag pole. 

CRIES OF "LYNCH HIM!" 

"Lynch him 1" cried a hundred voices, and a start was made 
for one of the entrances of the Temple of Music. The soldiers 
and police sprang outside and beat back the crowd. To and fro 
they fought. In the midst of the confussion the assassin, still 
bleediug from his blows and pale and silent, with his shirt torn, 
was led out quickly by Captain James E. Valleley, Chief of the 
Exposition Detectives, Assistant Commandant Robertson and 
detectives. They thrust him into the closed carriage. Three 
detectives leaped in with him, and Captain Valleley jumped upon 
the driver's seat, as they lashed the horses into a gallop. 

A roar of rage burst from the crowd, " Murderer ! Assassin I 
Lynch him!" yelled the crowd, and men, women and children 
tore at the guards, sprang at the horses, and clutched the whirl- 
ing wheels of the carriage. The murderer huddled back m the 
corner, concealed by the bodies of two detectives. " The rope f 
the rope 1" yelled the crowd, and they started forward, all m one 
great fight, the soldiery to save, the citizens to take, the man g 



206 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

life. Soldiers fought a way clear at the heads of the horses, and, 
persued by infuriated thousands, the carriage whirled across the 
esplanade and vanished through Lincoln Parkway gate, going 
down Delaware Avenue to reach the police headquarters. 

" Where have they taken him ?" asked the crowd of the 
soldiers. 

When the soldiers told them, hundreds hurried to the exits 
and started towards the city in search of the life of the assassin. 
The}'- gathered at police headquarters, and as the evening wore 
away, their number grew. They waited as if for a signal. Again 
and again they would repeat the question, " Is the President still 
alive? " and when the answer came that there was hope, they 
turned again toward the building and waited in silence. 

GROANS AND SOBS. 

At the emergenc}^ hospital, while the throng was crying for 
the life of the villain, the Exposition officials and the railroad 
officials and the telegraph officials were searching the city and 
the adjacent countr}^ for the greatest surgeons. They learned that 
Dr. Roswell Park was at Niagara Falls and General Agent 
Harry Parry, of the New York Central Railroad, ordered a 
special train to hurry him to the President's side. Dr. E. W. Lee, 
of St. Louis, Dr. Storer, of Chicago, and other medical men were 
on the grounds, and they joined the hospital staff. 

The President was borne out of the Temple of Music at 
4.14 o'clock by Doctors Hall, Ellis and Mann, Jr., of the hospital, 
in charge of the ambulance. The crowd fell back when it saw 
the figure of the President. Groans and sobs were the only 
sounds heard. There was no need for the police to ask the crowd 
to move back. The crowd itself cleared a pathway along the 
course shouting ahead, " Keep back, keep back ; make way, make 
way." 

Colonel Chapin, of General Roe's staff, with the mounted 
escort which had accompained President McKinley in his outdoor 
appearance since his arrival in Buffalo, surrounded the ambulance, 
and at full gallop they whirled to the hospital. With them went 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 20^ 

President Milburu and Secretar^r Corteh^on. Six doctors were at 
the President's side within thirty seconds after his arrival. Miss 
Walters, the superintendent of the nurses of the hospital, inimedi- 
ateh^ had all made ready for tlie task of the surgeons. Outsidr 
the police established safety lines and the crowd fell back, stand- 
ing- silent or moving softly. 

The President was stripped and placed where the surgeons 
might see his wounds. Guarding the door was Detective Foster, 
of the Secret Service, and his assistants. In the room with the 
President besides the surgeons were Mr. Milburu and Secretary 
Cortelyou. In the hall of the hospital were Chairman Scatcherd 
and Secretary of Agriculture Wilsov and other prominent men. 

When a face appeared for a moment at the hospital door the 
crowd trembled as if expecting to hear that the President was 
dead. When the announcement came, the first announcement, 
that he was shot twice, but that there was hope of his life, people 
hugged each other and silently waved their hats in the air or 
clapped their hands and murmured gratefully with eyes closed. 

*" ONE BULLET EXTRACTED. 

At 4.45 o'clock the good word came that one of the bullets had 
been extracted, that his wound was superficial and had done no 
serious harm. It was joyous, but a moment later came the news 
of the second bullet and the second wound. The surgeons were 
in consultation before beginning an operation. At 5.07 a small 
gray-bearded man pushed his way through the crov/d and ap- 
proached the hospital. He was Dr. Matthew D. Mann and Mr. 
Scatcherd met him at the hospital door preciseh^ one hour after 
the President had been shot. The surgeons were waiting for the 
coming of the President's physician, Dr. P M. Rixey, and for Dr. 
Park. i 

At 5.52 o'clock Secretary W. V. Cox, of the Government 
Board of Exposition Managers, arrived with Dr. Rixe}^, Mrs. 
Rixey and Mrs. Cortelyou. They had come from the Milburn 
home, M'here Mrs. McKinley was sleeping, all unconscious of the 
calamitj^ that had befallen th^^ "President. On the space before the 



fl08 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

hospital officers of the army and nav}^, including Captain Hobson, 
and directors of the Exposition, bau|<:ers and diplomats, stood in 
silence awaiting tlie result of what the surgeons might decide. 

The President of the Cuban Commission to the Exposition, 
Senor Bdelberto Farres, appeared with his full commission and 
conveyed to those within the hospital the announcement that 
Cuba sorrowed with the American people and that whatever she 
could do would be a favor and an honor to the island. One by 
one the diplomats reiterated these sentiments. The Ambassadors 
and Ministers stood eagerl}^ waiting for the slightest ray of hope. 
They heard in silence at 6 o'clock the announcement by Captain 
Valleley that he had delivered the prisoner safely at police head- 
quarters in the custody of the detectives who had seized him. 

THE THRONG KEEP SILENT. 

The 6 o'clock whistles were blowing when Mr. Scatcherd and 
Mr. Hamlin emerged from the hospital and asked that the crowd 
move still further back and preserve quiet. Their request was 
obe3^ed instantly, even the small boys ceasing their shouts. It 
was announced that the President was about to undergo the 
operation to find the second bullet. Dr. Mann with Drs. Par- 
menter, Mj^nter and Rixey were to be in charge of the operating 
room with Dr. Mann. As already stated the second bullet was 
not found, and the hope was that it would become encycted and 
result in no harm. 

It is impossble to describe the overwhelming shock to our 
whole country by the awful tragedy. Washington was simply 
stunned by the news that President McKinley had been shot. As 
the word spread through the streets like wildfire, men and women 
looked at each other and said : " I don't believe it." It was fully 
thirty minutes after the first bulletin was placarded before the 
awful truth was appreciated. 

At all points where the slightest intelligence could be secured 
from Buffalo, people congregated in sad and sorrowful crowds. 
There Avere no demonstrations beyond muttered horror and low 
execrations of the dastardly deed. Thousands gazed in silence 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 



209 



at the bulletin boards, and as succeeding notices brouglit no 
assurance, tears were wiped from their eyes and suppressed sobs 
were heard throughout the throng. 

Gradually the tone of the despatches changed and a reaction 
set in, until at last, when a bulletin was displayed announcing 
that the President would recover, a hearty cheer went up from 
thousands of throats and the tension was at an end. Then the 
people broke out in noisy discussion of the terrible event and if 
all the threats and suggestions of extermination against the 
Anarchists could have been put into active operation not one of 
the breed would have been alive in the United States at midnight. 

OTHER ASSASSINATIONS. 

It was only twenty years, two decades, since Washington was 
last startled by the report of the assassin's pistol, and President 
Garfield was shot down in the Pennsylvania railroad depot. 
Thirty-six years ago, only a little more than a generation, the 
greatest tragedy in the history of the nation was enacted when 
President Lincoln was murdered. Washington felt these tragic 
events in a peculiar manner. To the people of this city the 
President of the United States is a living, tangible personality, a 
part of the everyday life of the city, and any accident or disaster 
happening to him touches every one most closely and personally. 

The news that President McKinley had been shot struck 
every one as though a close friend or member of his family had 
been the victim of the murderous assault. The news came 
shortly after the closing of the departments for the day, when 
thousands of Government employees, men and women, were on 
the streets homeward bound. As the word sped along that the 
President had been shot, ladies would rush toward any one who 
they thought could give information and demand : "Is it so? Is 
it so ?" Strong men broke down and wept like children. 
Nowhere in the United States was President McKinley known so 
well as in Washington, where he first came as a young member 
of Congress some twenty-five years before. 

It so happened that not a member of his Cabinet was present 

14 McK 



210 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

in the city. Scattered all over the country, enjoying, as he had 
been, their annual vacation, his official family received the sad 
intelligence in vvidely separated localities. The assistant secre- 
taries and chiefs of the bureaus in all the departments were 
speedily informed of the horrible event at Buffalo. 

Some of these meu, like Comptroller of the Currency Dawes, 
had not left their offices, and the shock to them was almost 
paralyzing. They rushed to the nearest telegraph and news- 
paper offices in the hope that the first report was untrue. When 
confirmation of the tidings was received, these men, many of them 
close, warm personal friends of the President, sank down and 
sobbed like children. 

FELT IT AS A PERSONAL LOSS. 

Each one felt that the death of the President would be a 
distinct personal blow to himself They began to rehearse in 
broken voices the virtues and magnificent character of William 
McKinley. Then they would be shaken with a wave of horror 
that any creature of human semblance and possessed of 
thought and soul could take the life of such a man. At the. 
War Department, General Gillespie, who is Acting Secretary 
of War, and Colonel Ward, who is Acting Adjutant General, 
were in their offices when the news came from Buffalo. 
Colonel Wiser, commandant of Fort Porter, at Buffalo, wired 
directly to the Department, giving official information of the 
shooting of the President and the arrest of the would-be assassin. 
The despatch follows : 

"Adjutant General, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. : 

" President shot at reception in Temple of Music about 4 P. M. 
Corporal Bertschey and detail of men of my company caught 
the assassin at once and held him down till the Secret Service men 
overpowered him and took the prisoner out of their hands, my 
men being unarmed. Condition of President not known. Re- 
volver in my possession. 

"Bnfifalo, September 6. "(Signed) WISER, Commanding." 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT Oir THE ASSASSINATION. 2II 

The War Department officials immediately commuuicated 
witli Secretary Root and Assistant Secretary Sanger, who were at 
their homes in New York, and instructions were sent to Colonel 
Wiser, at Fort Porter, to detail men to act as a gnard about the 
hospital where the President lay, and afterward about the house 
to which he was removed. At the White House there were none 
but the corps of clerks and telegraph operators present, but 
inquiries by the hundred were received over the telephone and 
the telegraph, asking for official news. 

Colonel Montgomery, chief of the operators at the White 
House, gave out the bulletins as rapidly as they were received, 
but they were only a repetition of those coming in at the news- 
paper offices and over the regular telegraph wires. Hundreds of 
anxious citizens passed under the White House portals, or stopped 
to inquire the latest news, evidently attracted to the official home 
of the great man whom they believed to be dying in Buffalo. 

At the Secret Service Bureau the officials in charge did not care ■ 

to discuss the shooting, except to join in the general expressions 

of horror that an attempt should be made upon the life of the 

President. Chief Wilkie, of the bureau, was absent from the 

city, and none of his subordinates cared to discuss the precautions 

that had been taken to prevent just such a tragedy as had 

occurred. 

OBJECTION TO BEING GUARDED. 

The President always requested Chief Wilkie and his assist- 
ants to refrain from making public the arrangements for guarding 
him on his trips and at his receptions. The President, however 
never moved out of Washington, nor did he appear at any public 
function without alert officers of the Secret Service Bureau being 
near to him. In most cases he did not know the men who were 
detailed to guard him, and was not consulted about the arrange- 
ments. He never had the slightest personal fear, and was averse 
to the detailing of men to guard him. In a general way he knew 
that the Secret Service officers were in attendance, but his move- 
ments were always unrestricted and made without any thought 
of possible danger to himself. 



212 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

When he entered upon his first term as President he 
abolished some of the prominent guard provisions about the 
White House. The number of policemen was reduced and the 
little sentr}' box which had been erected on the front lawn during 
President Cleveland's second administration and from which an 
officer could keep an eye on all the approaches to the front of the 
Executive Mansion was removed by Mr. McKinley's direction. 

When a member of Congress, Mr. McKinley had formed the 
habit of taking long walks through the streets, and when he 
returned to Washington as President he resumed the practice as 
far as time would permit. He walked frequently in the north- 
western section of the city and often was seen taking his consti- 
tutional along Pennsylvania avenue and other business streets. 

"HAVE NEVER DONE ANY MAN A WRONG." 

In this he followed the example of President Grant and Presi- 
dent Harrison, both of whom were familiar figures on the streets 
of the Capital. If any one suggested to President McKinley 
that he should exercise precaution he invariably answered : — 

"I have never done any man a wrong and believe no man 
will ever do me one." The idea that his life might be at the 
mercy of a murderous crank never entered his head. When it 
was suggested to him he merely laughed and said he was not 
afraid to trust the people. 

Of late years President McKinley had not walked so much, 
but it was principally because of lack of time. During the Spanish 
war he was kept so closely to his office that he had to give up the 
long, pleasant strolls he formerly had taken in the residence por- 
tion of the city. With his private secretary he would repair to 
the grounds in the rear of the White House and walk rapidly 
to and fro for a few moments to get the physical exercise he 
needed. During those troublous times the watchmen were 
doubled about the White House grounds, but not at the sugges- 
tion of the President. Secret Service men were stationed near 
the Mansion or within its doors, but without the knowledge or 
consent ofthe Chief Executive. 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 213 

Officials of the Secret Service Bureau believe that the tragedy 
was unavoidable. They say it could have occurred at any of the 
President's receptions in the White House. At these public 
functions, where the President shakes hands with two or tliree 
thousand people, any one can pass scrutin\^ wlio bears a decent 
exterior and has the appearance of a respectable citizen. This 
was the apparent character of the man who did the shooting at 
Buffalo. 

If the will of the people of Washington could have been 
executed, the anarchist, who fired the murderous bullets into the 
President's body would have had short shrift. In the crowds that 
surrounded the bulletin boards were many grave and dignified 
citizens who did not hesitate to express a desire to hold the rope 
that would swing the wretch into eternity. With the hope of the 
President's recovery, the utterly inadequate punishment that 
could be administered to the anarchist impressed itself upon the 
people. Had Mr. McKinley recovered from the wound, the charge 
to be brought against the man who shot him would have been 
"assault with intent to kill." 

MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT. 

Under the laws of the State of New York this crime entails 
a maximum punishment of only ten years imprisonment. Had 
the attempt been made in the District of Columbia it would have 
been possible to imprison the criminal for twenty years. There 
have been, at various times, bills before Congress prescribing 
punishment for the crime of attempt upon the life of the Chief 
Bxecutive. Nothing was ever done, however, and now every law- 
maker regrets that a Federal statute has not been enacted provid- 
ing adequate punishment for the attempted murder of the Presi- 
dent. As death has resulted from the assassin's bullet, the 
punishment is, of course, death. 

In the diplomatic quarters of the city the news of the 
assassination of President McKinley came as a tremendous 
shock. Nearly all of the Ambassadors and Ministers were absent 
from Washington, but the Charges d' Affaires and secretaries who 



214 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

were left on duty, expressed tlie keenest regrets and displayed tlie 
deepest sympathy over the tragedy. 

Among the representatives of all foreign powers, President 
McKinley was very popular. They not only entertained the 
respect which is due a ruling magistrate but they had a deeper 
and more personal feeling toward the President. His exemplary 
life at the Capital, his tender solicitude for his wife and his many 
charming personal attributes placed him high in the estimation of 
all the diplomats. He was as punctilious in his observance of 
diplomatic forms and ceremony as the most exacting could require 
and at the same time exhibited a courtesy that was most charm- 
ing. He was able to steer a judicious course in all the petty 
controversies regarding public functions that have arisen in the 
diplomatic corps where the most intense jealousy exists regarding 
precedence and other rights^ 

SYMPATHY FOR MRS. M'KINLEY. 

In the tragic occurrence the people of Washington had their 
sympathies most deeply stirred when they considered the terrible 
ordeal to which Mrs. McKinley was subjected. The greatest con- 
cern was felt regarding her, and those who best know her absolute 
reliance upon her husband felt that the death of the latter would 
be fatal to his wife. Her friends here were fearful that her recent 
illness had weakened her so that she might not survive the shock. 
Mrs. McKinley always relied upon her husband with implicit 
trust. It is known that her life has been saved in times past by 
the exercise of his strong vitality and masterful will. 

The influence he had over her was almost hypnotic. On 
more than one occasion the physicians in attendance testified that 
Mrs. McKinley has been drawn from the verge of the grave by 
her husband's wonderful, magnetic powers. His devotion to his 
wife was beautiful. Probably no other part of his character 
earned him so completely the love of the whole people. The 
perfect sympathy between Mr. and Mrs. McKinley touched the 
entire nation and was best known in Washington. Theii mar- 
ried life covered some thirty years, and the union was ideal. It 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 215 

is recalled that a short time before the President and Mrs. McKin- 
ley went to Canton, the mistress of the White House said that 
she would rejoice most heartil}'- v/hen the public life of the Presi- 
dent would be ended and they could go back to their quiet home 
in Ohio. 

*' It is a great honor for my husband to be President of the 
United States, and I appreciate it fully, but ir means much priva- 
tion and self-sacrifice for us both," was the wistful declaration of 
the gentle invalid. 

When the news of the shooting of President McKinley 
reached Washington, the telephone system of the city vv^as simply 
paralyzed for a time and so many were the calls upon the news 
offices and upon the officials who might be supposed to have 
knowledge of the details of the shooting, that the operators were 
overwhelmed. A reporter for the Associated Press carried to the 
White House the first bulletin announcing the shooting of the 
President. The executive mansion was reached about 4.24, and 
at that time all its few inmates were in total ignorance of the 
tragedy in w^hich their chief had j ust pla3^ed so serious a part. 

ALL QUIET AT THE ^A^HITE HOUSE. 

A policeman paced up and down under the portico as usual, 
but his serene countenance intimated that he was totally ignorant 
of the affair. Inside there were few to receive the news, the most 
prominent personage there being a telegraph operator, Secretary 
Pruden, who was in charge of the White House, having left his 
office for the day, as had his subordinates. 

The force at the White House after the President's departure 
was in constant communication with him, and while he conducted 
most of the business of his office at his home in Canton, the 
majority of the papers with which he had to deal were prepared 
in W^ashington and forwarded through the White House clerical 
force. All reports received from him by officials were cheerful 
and high spirited. 

General Gillespie, Acting Secretary of War, got into com- 
munication with Secretary Root and Assistant Secretary Sanger, 



21(3 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

and as a result of the telephone talk, he proceeded to use some of 

the forces at his disposal. He telegraphed an order to have an 

officer, a physician and a squad of men proceed immediately to 

the hospital where the President was lying to act as a guard. 

Steps were next taken to provide for the future of the Executive 

Branch of the Government. It was realized that even under the 

most favorable conditions the Presideut's injuries were of such a 

character as to make it almost certain that he could not undertake 

for a long time to discharge the duties of Chief Executive, even in 

the most formal way. 

Every member of the Cabinet able to travel was expected 

to speed at once to Buffalo, and there a Cabinet council would be 

held to decide upon the course to be followed by the Executive 

Branch. Vice President Roosevelt was understood to be in 

Vermont. 

LAW OF SUCCESSION. 

The Vice President, by the Constitution of the United States, 
becomes President, if at any time the President is removed by 
death or disability to perform the duties of his office. This pro- 
vision is contained in Paragraph VI, Section, I, Article II, in the 
following words : 

'' VI— in case of the removal of the President from office, or 
of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and 
duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice 
President," etc. 

At 7 o'clock Colonel Montgomery, the chief operator at the 
White House, received a message from a confidential but reliable 
source in Buffalo saying that the informant had learned on good 
authority that the President's wounds were not necessarily fatal 
and that it was believed that he would live. General Gillespie 
telegraphed Vice President Roosevelt at Burlington, Vt, and "he 
started in haste for Buffalo. 

Chinese Minister Wu, when seen, was a picture of distress. 
He realized keenly the tremendous indebtedness of China to 
President McKinley's kindly impulses in her great trials in 
the past year, and was shocked at the great calamity that had 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 217 

befallen Hm. He said that lie could not conceive of any sort of 
motive for such an inexcusable deed, and he was severe in his 
denunciation of anarchists. He asked wh}^ they were permitted 
to hatch such plots as this in a Republic where the people could 
readily change their President if they were in the slightest degree 
dissatisfied with his of&cial conduct or his private personality. In 
conclusion, almost with tears, he expressed the hope that the 
President would speedily recover from his terrible injury. 

It was somewhat gratifying to the officials at Washington 
that the very first expression of official sympathy should come 
from the Island of Cuba, in the shape of the following telegram : 

"September 6, 1901. Received at War Department 7.45 P.M. 

Havana. Adjutant General. Washington. 

" Mayor and Citj^ Council of Havana have called, expressing 
sorrow and solicitude for the President and desire that his family 
be advised of these expressions. 

" (Signed) SCOTT, Adjutant General.'' 

MR. ROOSEVELT GREATLY AFFECTED. 

Vice-President Roosevelt received the news by telephone first 
at Isle La Motte. He turned pale and trembled violentlv. His 
first words were : — " I am so inexpressibly shocked, horrified and 
grieved that I cannot find words to express my feelings." At a 
second bulletin he said : — " Like all other people and like the 
whole civilized world, you will be overjoyed to hear the good news 
that the President will recover." 

Upon his arrival at Burlington, Mr. Roosevelt was met by a 
crowd of messenger boys and reporters. He eagerly read the 
messages relating to the President's condition, but made no re- 
marks. To the newspaper men he said : " I am so shocked and 
grieved that I cannot make a statement. There is nothing for me 
to say; I shall go to-night to Senator Proctor's home and from 
there direct to Bufi'alo." 

When asked if several newspaper men might accompany him, 
he refused, saying it would be a desecration under the circum- 
stances. Mr. Roosevelt boarded the special car "Grand Isle,"* 



218 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

owned by President Clement, of tlie Rutland road, and accom- 
panied by President Clement and Senator Proctor left at 8.35 for 
Proctor. From there arrangements were made for a special train 
to Buffalo, and be arrived the next morning. 

■ When the news of the President's injuries was announced 
by Senator Proctor at Isle La Motte, where the annual meeting of 
the Fish and Game League of Vermont was being held, a moan 
went up from the crowd and the reception which was in progress 
was stopped. 

"TOO HORRIBLE TO CONTEMPLATE." 

Upon being informed at the Union Club, of Cleveland, of the 
assassination of the President, Senator Hanna was astounded and 
refused to believe it. A little later, after reading a telegram, 
he said, with tears in his e37es : — 

" I have just received a message from the Associated Press 
and I am forced to believe that the rumor is true. I cannot say any- 
thing about it. It is too horrible to even contemplate. To think 
that such a thing could happen to so splendid a man as McKin- 
ley, and at this time and upon such an occasion. It is horrible, 
awful. McKinley never had any fear of danger from that source. 
Of course, I never talked to him upon such a subject, but I knew 
he never even dreamed of anything like this happening. I can't 
be interviewed upon this, it is too awful." 

The Senator made immediate preparations to leave for Buf- 
falo. Shortly after 4 o'clock he left the Union Club and boarded 
a street car for his of&ce, on Superior street. When he reached 
the street he was stopped and surrounded by excited citizens, who 
wanted to know if the rumors were true that the President had 
been shot at Buffalo. " Yes, I am afraid it is too true," replied 
the Senator, as he pushed his way through the crowd. On the 
car the same questions were asked by every one. The Senator 
answered all questions politely, but refused to enter into conver- 
sation with any one. Most of the time he sat with bowed head, 
deep in sorrow. 

To a reporter who accompanied him he turned suddenly in 



ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 219 

tlie car and exclaimed : " What is this great country coming 
to when such men as Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley fall by the 
bullet of assassins ? Oh, it is fearful, dreadful, horrible! I shall 
hurry to the bedside of the President as rapidly as the train will 
take me. I only hope that he is not seriously injured, but I am 
afraid that my hopes will be in vain. I do want to reach the President 
before he dies, if he is going to die. Nobody can be safe from 
the work of an insane man, it seems. It is terrible." As the 
Senator boarded a car tears were streaming down his face. 

United States Senator Cullom, who was in Chicago on the 
day of the shooting, was greatly affected when he heard the news. 

DENOUNCED BY THE ILLINOIS SENATOR. 

*' I can hardly believe the announcement," he said, after a 
time. " That was a dastardly attack, and the man who committed 
the act should have been punished right there. It is the most 
horrible crime imaginable. The nation could hardly afford to 
lose President McKinley, and it would be avv^ful to see a man of 
so many admirable qualities cut down thus at the height of his 
career. He is a great man and a great President. He is nearer 
the hearts of the great body of the people than any other ruler 
since Lincoln. 

" Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield and William McKinley 
were the three Presidents most thoroughly in sympathy, appar- 
ently, with the great body of the common people of the country, 
that we have had since the beginning of our Constitutional Gov- 
ernment. Mr. Lincoln was assassinated in the early part of his 
second term ; Mr. Garfield during the first few months of his first 
term, and an attempt has been made to assassinate President 
McKinley in the early part of his second term. It seems strange 
to my mind that such a fate should befall such men — men w^ho 
were all generous to a fault, and who were faithfully performing 
the great duties of their high ofBce. 

" No man was of a more kindly nature than President 
McKinley. His heart beat in unison with the great body of the 
people of the country, and of the world. His sole purpose was 



900 ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

to do liis duty, to take care that the laws should be faithfully 
executed, aud that the couutry should go on in its career of 
growth aud prosperity, and yet he seems to have shared the fate 
of those great men who have gone before him. 

"I sincerely hope he may recover to carry out his purpose 
in the interest of the United States Government, and of the 
people, to the end of his official term, and be allowed to retire, as 
he has unqualifiedly expressed his purpose to do, when his term 
shall expire. There can be no question that he has made one of 
the greatest Presidents of the United States. His name will be 
linked closely with that of Washington and Lincoln, and deserv- 
edly so. Even on yesterday he delivered an address to the people 
at the Exposition which is full of wisdom, and showed that his 
whole heart and life w^ere absorbed by a desire to do what was 
best for his own country, not forgetting the other nations of the 
world. It will be a great thing for the United States, and for the 
M-orld, if he shall be spared. If he shall be taken away, it is my 
sincere hope and prayer that the policies of President McKinley 
during his term shall be continued.'* 



CHAPTER XI. 

Mrs. McKinley Hears the Appalling News— The Nation 
Bowed with Grief— Europe Aghast at the Diabolical 
Crime. 

/\ /IRS. McKINLEY received the news of tlie assassination with 
^^ ^ the utmost courage. Because of the fear that the au- 
nouncement might injuriously affect her health, it was deemed 
desirable to postj^one as long as possible the breaking of the sad 
news. When informed, however, of the attacks on her husband, 
she exhibited remarkable fortitude. 

After the President was cared for at the Exposition grounds, 
Director General W. I. Buchanan started for the Milburn home 
to forestall any information that might reach there by telephone 
or otherwise. Luckil}^, he was first to arrive with the infor- 
mation. The Niagara Falls trip had tired Mrs. McKinley, and 
on returning to the Milburn home she took leave of her nieces, 
the Misses Barber and Miss Duncan, as well as their hostess, 
Mrs. Milburn, and went to her room to rest. 

Mr. Buchanan broke the nevv's as gently as possible to the 
nieces, and consulted with them and Mrs. Milburn as to the best 
course to pursue in informing Mrs. McKinley. It was finally 
decided that on awakening, or shortly thereafter, Mr. Buchanan 
should tell her, if in the meantime her physician, Dr. Rixey, 
had not arrived. Mrs. McKinley awoke from her sleep at about 
5.30 o'clock. She was feeling splendidly, she said, and at once 
took up her crocheting, which is one of her favorite diversions. 

Immediately on Mr. Buchanan's arrival at the Alilburn home 

he had telephonic communication therewith cut off, for already 

there had been several calls, and he decided on this as the wisest 

course to pursue, lest Mrs. McKinley, hearing the continued 

ringing of the 'phone bell might inquire what it meant. While 

the light of day remained, Mrs. McKinley continued with her 

221 



222 MRS. Mckinley hears the appalling news. 

crocheting, keeping to her room. When it became dusk, and the 
President had not arrived, she began to feel anxious concerning 

him. 

" I wonder why he does not come," she asked one of her 

nieces. 

There was no clock in Mrs. McKinley's room, and when it 
was 7 o'clock she had no idea it was so late, and this is when she 
began to feel anxious concerning her husband, for he was due to 
return to Mr. Milburn's house at 6 o'clock. At 7 o'clock, Dr. 
Rixey arrived at the Milburn home. He had been driven hur. 
riedl}' down Delaware avenue in an open carriage. As he came 
up, Mr. Buchanan was out on the lawn. 

" Do you know," said Mr. Buchanan, "I had a sort of premo- 
nition of this ? Since early morning I had been extremely nervous 
and feared that something might go wrong. Our trip to the Falls 
was uneventful, but what an awful sad ending to our day." 

NEWS BROKEN TO HER GENTLY. 

At 7.20 o'clock Dr. Rixey came out of tbe house accompanied 
by Colonel Webb Hayes, a son of ex-President Hayes, who was a 
friend of Mr. McKinley. They entered a carriage and returned to 
the Exposition Hospital. After Dr. Rixey had gone, Director 
General Buchanan said that the doctor had broken the news in a 
most gentle manner to Mrs. McKinley. He said she stood it 
bravely, though considerably affected. 

If it was possible to bring him to her she wanted it done. 
Dr. Rixey assured her that the President could be brought with 
safety from the Exposition grounds, and when he left Mr. Mil- 
bum's it was to complete all arrangements for the removal of the 
President. A big force of regular patrolmen were assigned to 
the Milburn home. 

Canton, the President's home, was bowed down with grief. 
The news of the attempt 1 upon the life of President McKinley 
and the fact that his life still hung in the balance carried sorrow 
into every house in the city. After the first bulletin announcing 
the firing of the shot everything else was abandoned in efforts to 



MRS. Mckinley hears the appalling news. 



223 



get additional particulars and in watching the bulletin board and 
the extra editions of the newspapers for information on the con- 
dition of the distinguished Cantonian. Groups of men standing 
on the street, the tears streaming down their cheeks as they dis- 
cussed the awful tragedy, were a common sight about the business) 
section of the city. 

At first the news was not believed. But the confirmation 
came all too soon. The Stark County fair, which the President 
attended Tuesday, was just closing when the first news came. 
The race track, the side shows and the various exhibits were 
deserted in one grand rush for the car line to reach the city, 
where the news might be received more fully and more 

promptly. 

THEY HURRIED TO THE HOUSE. 

Then with the hope of receiving earlier and more direct news 
many people hurried to the McKinley house, which was in the 
charge of eight servants and attaches, who were there during the 
summer vacation. No information was received at the house 
until late in the evening. Dr. T. H. Phillips, who is regarded as 
the President's physician, although he had little use for the 
services of a physician, regarded the President as a man of most 
remarkable constitution and able to resist what would prove fatal 
to one of the average strength. If prime condition of health and 
a naturally strong constitution could overcome the assaults of the 
assassin, the Canton friends of the President felt that he would 
yet be spared. 

Mrs. M. C. Barber, the sister of Mrs. McKinley, was the only 
near relative of the family in the city. She bore up heroically 
under the terrible news, but was well nigh prostrated, aside from 
the condition of the President ; she suffered from a realization of 
what the affair must mean, to her sister. 

Every time President McKinley was at Canton since his first 
inauguration he was accompanied by George Foster, formerly of 
Upper Sandusky, of the Secret Service, who guarded him as closely 
as the President would allow. This did not amount to shadowing 
all of his movements, because this was distasteful to the Presi- 



224 MRS. Mckinley hears the appalling news, 

dent. He also watched the McKinley premises more or less 
closely, especially at night, and occasionally had the local police 
keep a little closer to the house than their regular beats provided. 
He also kept in close touch with the vSecret Service headquarters 
and investigated every rumor reported to him of which there were 

many. 

The only semblance of a scare that occurred during the two 
months' sojourn of the President to Canton was about three weeks 
before. Foster, during his iisual rounds, saw a man passing the 
McKinley home two or three times in a manner that indicated 
more than idle curiosity. He watched the man's movements and 
saw him pass through a private driveway between the McKinley 
home and the Bockius residence adjoining. His hat was drawn 
over his face and there were other suspicious actions. 

THE STRANGER SHADOWED. 

Foster shadowed the stranger and he quickened his pace 
toward the center of town. Two blocks below the McKinley 
home the stranger boarded a trolley car. Foster got on the same 
car. They both went through the public square and were trans- 
ferred east. Four blocks further the line turns at right angles. 
The stranger jumped off the car at this point and Foster got off 
as the corner was rounded. The secret service man went through 
the corridor of the Barnett House to the street on which the 
stranger had left the car, but found no further trace of him. 

All the saloons in the vicinity were visited without results, 
as were also the railway stations and yards half a block away. 
The supposition then v/as that the fellow was either irresponsible 
01- a possible burglar at one oi the other of the two houses. The 
Bockius home belongs to a wealthjr family and in the past has 
been visited by burglars, who were well rewarded. Joseph Saxton, 
Mrs. McKinley's uncle, on receiving the news, said : " I was 
terribly shocked to hear the news. I am in hopes that he will 
recover, and I trust in God and believe He will take care of him." 

Rev. Dr. C. E. Manchester, pastor of the President's church, 
said : " I have strong hopes of the President's recovery, as he is 



MRS. Mckinley hears the appalling news. 225 

a man of sucli clean life and good habits. He never intimated to 
me that he had any fear of snch a thing, and I don't believe that 
he knew what personal ftar was. He is a Christian in the true 
sense of the word and is a man who has strong faith in an over- 
ruling Providence." 

The news of the assassination of the President did not reach 
Cardinal Gibbons until nearly 7 o'clock in the evening, his Emi- 
nence having been out driving. Soon after he heard it a reporter 
called upon him in his study. His Eminence, as the visitor 
entered, raised his hands in mute appeal, and in a voice which 
shook with emotion exclaimed : "I hope from the bottom of my 
heart, sir, that you bring me some better news than that which I 
have heard." 

TRIBUTE FROM CARDINAL GIBBONS. 

Upon being informed that the condition of the President was 
still very grave, the Cardinal sank into a chair and said : 

" It is sad, indeed, that an insane fanatic can have it in his 
powder to endanger the life of the head of a great nation like this, 
and a man possessing the many virtues of President McKinley. 
The man who did it must be a mad man. The President has no 
personal enemies and no one but a madman would have committed 
such a deed. If, however, he has a spark of reason left, and it 
can be shown that he is responsible, no punishment would be too 
great for him." 

After a moment's hesitation the Cardinal resumed : " I am 
filled with sadness beyond expression at receiving this news. I 
not only honor President McKinley as the head of a great nation, 
but I have the privilege of regarding him as a friend and am 
obligated to him for many favors. I repeat that this awful 
calamit}^ must have been the work of an insane man, for, while 
the President had hosts of political opponents, it seems incredible 
that he could have a personal enemy. 

"But few Presidents who have occupied the chair have been 
better equipped for the Presidency than he. He was trained for 
Uie place by having served his country in miner capacities, as 

15 McK 



226 



MRS. McKINLEY HEARS THE APPALLING NEWS. 



Congressman, Governor, and the effect of this training has been 
repeatedly shown during his Presidential career. 

*' His characteristic virtues are patience and forbearance. He 
is always read}^ to receive any one and to give careful attention 
to any demand upon him, whatever might be their character. 
The wound which has been inflicted upon him is not only a 
national calamity but comes as a personal affliction to every house 
in the land. Ever}^ son and every daughter in the United States 
should feel it as they M'ould feel a bloAV struck at the head of his 
or her family. 

"I have always heard him most admired for his domestic 
virtues and for his tender affection and solicitude for his wife. No 
more beautiful example of domestic virtue and felicity has prob- 
ably ever been seen in this or any other country than that of 
President and Mrs. McKinley. 

UNSHAKEN ON FIRM FOUNDATION. 

" It is my earnest prayer that the Lord may spare him to fill 
out the term he has begun so well. Bat whatever be the outcome 
of this awful crime, of course the nation will remain unshaken 
upon the firm foundation our forefathers builded for it. 

'' Perhaps the best tribute to the stability of our institutions 
is the fact that, whilst the blow at the President arouses universal 
sorrow and indignation, it does not in the least shake our faith 
in the correctness of the principles of our government, and will 
not retard for an instant its machinery or create more than a 
passing ripple upon the waters over which is gliding our noble 
Ship of State. 

"You may announce, if you want," said his Eminence, in 
conclusion, "that I will order immediately that prayers shall be 
held in every church in my diocese on Sunday next. If the 
President still lives, and God grant that he may, they will be for 
his recovery." 

The news of the assassination of President McKinley was 
received m London shortly before lo o'clock at night, and quickly 
spread through the clubs and hotels of the West End. Details 



MRS, Mckinley hears the appalling news. 22? 

were meager, but it was understood that tlie wounds were serious 
and that the President's life was in danger. All who heard the 
sad intelligence were outspoken in their expressions of horror at 
the occurrence and sympathy with Mrs. McKinley. 

Everybody hoped that the President would recover sufficiently 
again to direct the affairs of state. Only a short time before the 
English people were sympathizing with President McKinley 
because of his wife's serious illness, and now they tendered con- 
dolence to her because of the terrible deed at Buffalo. 

The first reports were discredited ; then, with the confirma- 
tion and general dissemination of the news, arose a far-reaching 
feeling of sorrow and indignation, which, wherever Americans 
were gathered, almost gained the proportions of a panic, accom- 
panied by feverish anxiety for further details. The thousands of 
Americans in London were mostly at the theatres when the news 
arrived, and returning to their hotels found anxious groups of 
Englishmen and Americans discussing, what, without distinction 
of race, was regarded as a national calamity. 

ANXIOUS INQUIRIES. 

London's telephones, usually silent at night, tingled with 
impatient inquiries addressed to newspapers and American cor- 
respondents in the hope of securing a denial of the report. The 
announcement of the assassination was received too late for extra 
editions of the papers to announce the news to the mass of the 
English people. A correspondent conveyed the intelligence to 
Mr. J. W. Mackay, Colonel Ochiltree, Messrs. C. L. Pullman and 
J. W. Gates and many others, all of whom desired to express 
their unspeakable indignation at the cowardly act, and deepest 
sympathy with President McKinley. 

In no part of the country was the death of President 
McKinley more sincerely mourned than in our Southern States. 
In a letter to the " Manufacturer's Record," of Baltimore, United 
States Senator J. D. McLaurin, of South Carolina, told of an 
interview which he had with President McKinley, one day during 
the early days of the Spanish War. 



228 Mris. Mckinley hears the appalling news. 

" The President," says Senator Mclvaurin, "spoke beauti- 
fully and tenderly of the Southern people, and of how he 
intended to use the power and influence of his great office to 
reunite our country. I can recall the words, but who can paint 
the earnestness and eloquence as, raising one hand on high, he 
said : ' Senator, by the help of God I propose to be the President 
of the whole country, the South as much as the North, and before 
the end of my term the South will understand this.' 

" No wonder, as a true Southern man, I lo^^ed and trusted 
President McKinley. I stood by him in the Senate and else- 
where, and I thank God that I did. Patriotic in purpose and pure 
in heart, his noble soul is now with Him whom the hate of man 
nailed to the cross. Like Lincoln, who saved the country, 
McKinley, who reunited it, lies a martyr to envy and hate." 

HISTORY'S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONS. 

Two Presidents of the United States and many rulers of 
other nations were assassinated during the nineteenth century. 

Abraham Lincoln was the first President of the United States 
to meet death at the hands of an assassin. As every schoolboy 
knows, he was shot by the insane actor, Wilkes Booth, in Ford's 
Theatre, Washington, on the evening of April 14, 1865. "^^^ 
President died the next day, and Booth, though he escaped at the 
time, was shot in a barn a few days later, and his body was buried 
at sea by attaches of the Secret Service. 

James A. Garfield, the second martyr President, received his 
fatal wound July 2, 1881. His assassin was Charles Guiteau, 
who came upon his victim as he was standing in the Baltimore 
and Potomac railway station in the National Capital. The Presi- 
dent was on his way at the time to attend the commencement 
exercises of Williams College, and accompanying him was his 
Secretary of State, James G. Blaine. As the President was walking 
through the station, arm in arm with his secretary, Guiteau, draw- 
ing a heavy revolver from his pocket, fired at the President. 
Once more Guiteau fired, and the President dropped to the 



HISTORY'S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONS. 229 

floor, covered with blood. Guiteaii fled, but was caught before 
he left the station. Meanwhile the President neither moved 
nor spoke. 

An ambulance took him to the White House, where the best 
surgeons of Washington were hastily summoned. Contrar}'- to 
the expectations of the surgeons, the President rallied from his 
torpor, and, after several days, it was determined to remove him 
to the seashore. He was taken to Elberon, N. J., where, for a 
time, the sea breezes seemed to assist nature in restoring his 
health. For eighty days he lingered, and then, on Monday, Sep- 
tember lo, 1881, death relieved him of his sufferings. 

ATTEMPT ON LIFE OF PRESIDENT JACKSON. 

Few persons remember the attempt of Richard Lawrence to 
shoot President Jackson. 

It occurred on January 30, 1835. On that day the two 
Houses of Congress convened for the obsequies of W. R. Davis, a 
Representative from South Carolina, then recently deceased. 
President Jackson and the heads of departments were in attend- 
ance. After a discourse by the Chaplain of the House, a funeral 
procession was formed, in which the President walked arm in arm 
with the Secretary of the Treasur}^, Levi Woodbury. 

The procession left the hall of the House of Representatives 
and was passing through the rotunda, on the way to the eastern 
portico, when Lawrence, as he perceived the President approach, 
stepped forward from the crov/d, advanced to within a few feet of 
him, drew a pistol, aimed it at the President, and pulled the 
trigger. The cap missed fire. Secretary Woodbury and others 
sprang to arrest him ; he, however, had time to draw another 
pistol, but this second attempt to shoot was equally unsuccessful. 
He was thrown down, disarmed and secured. 

In taking aim he stood so near the President that the latter 
instinctively started forward to strike the pistol aside with his 
cane ; so that, had not the caps failed, there is every probability 
that a dangerous, probably a fatal wound would have been given. 

The trial of Lawrence was postponed until April, apparently 



230 HISTORY'S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONS. 

to allow time for searcliing his antecedents and investigating his 
mental condition. Both the evidence and Lawrence's demeanor 
in the court room satisfied the public at the time that the shoot- 
ing was the act of a lunatic. He had for some time believed 
himself to be King of the United States and Jackson to be an 
intruder and usurper. In the court room his behavior was so 
wild and disorderly that his counsel begged that he might be 
removed and the trial proceeded without him. 

When the District Attorney commenced speaking, Lawrence 
started up, wildly exclaiming : " What means this personal 
indignity ? Is it decreed that I am to be brought here ? And for 
what ? I desire to know if I, who claim the crown of the United 
States, likewise the crown of Great Britain, and who am superior 
to this court, am to be treated thus ? " And the proceedings 
were frequently broken by like interruptions. As the jury agreed 
with the medical men that he was an irresponsible monomanic, 
he was committed to an asylum. 

KING HUMBERT OF ITALY. 

The last ruler to be assassinated in the nineteenth century- 
was King Humbert of Italy. Bresci, an anarchist from Paterson, 
N. J., chosen expressly for the purpose, shot the King at Monza, 
a small town near Milan, on July 29, 1900. Death came almost 
instantly. Bresci was imprisoned in an underground cell, whose 
width compelled him to stand continually day and night. Only a 
few weeks ago the newspapers recorded the fact that the assassin, 
worn out by the harsh treatment accorded him by his keepers, 
had committed suicide. 

Elizabeth, Empress of Austro-Hungary, was stabbed to death 
by Lucheni, an anarchist, September 10, 1898, while she was re- 
cuperating in the Swiss city of Geneva. At the time of the stab- 
bing the Empress was out walking. She had taken no precaution 
against violence. She was removed to her hotel, where she (lied 
two hours later. 

It was on June 24, 1S94, that President Carnot, of France, 
was stabbed by an Italian anarchist named Santo, who managed 



HISTORY'S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONb. 231 

to get close to him, on the pretext of presenting a petition, while 

he was driving through the streets of L3^ons. Santo had drawn 

lots at a meeting of anarchists to kill Carnot. Following Carnot's 

death anti-Italian riots ensued throughout the length and breadth 

of France. 

Alexander II of Russia, the liberator of the serfs, was killed 

by an explosion cf a bomb thrown by a man who himself was 

killed by the same explosive. The assassination took place at 

St. Petersburg, March 13, 1881, as the Czar was returning from a 

review of his favorite regiment. Only a few hours before he had 

been warned that the Nihilists were awaiting their opportunity to 

take his life. 

DEATH OF AN INSANE CZAR. 

The insane Paul I, of Riissia, was killed by Count Pablen, 
on March 24, iSoi. Paul's own son, Alexander I, who was near, 
was fully cleared from complicity in the assassination. 

Michael IV, of Servia, vv'as assassinated June 20, 1868. 

Nasr-Ed-Din, Shah of Persia, was assassinated May i, 1896, 
as he was entering the shrine near his palace. The man who 
shot him was disguised as a woman, and is believed to have been 
a tool of a band of conspirators. He was caught and suffered the 
most horrible death th^t Oriental ingenuity could devise. 

Juan Idiarte Borda, President of Uruguay, was killed August 
27, 1897, ^t Montevideo by Avelino Arredondo, an officer in the 
Uruguyan army. 

Sultan Abdul Aziz, of Turkey, was killed mysteriously June 
4, 1876. It was suspected that members of the royal family had 
a hand in his assassination. 

Sultan Selim, of Turkey, was stabbed in 1808. President 
D'Istria, of Greece, died from a saber wound in 183 1 ; Duke of 
Parma, Italy ^ was killed in 1854. The President of Hayti was 
stabbed in 1859. President Baita, of Peru, was shot in 1872. 
President Moreno, of Ecuador, v/ac shot in 1872, and his successor. 
President Guthrie, suffered the same fate in 1873. President 
Barrios, Guatemala, was shot in 1885. The (^ueen of Greece was 
poisoned. 



232 HISTORY'S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONS. 

Among otlier famous assassinations was tliat of Gustavus 
III, of Sweden. He wat^ tihot at a masquerade ball by Count 
Aukerstiono, Marcli i6, 1792. 

Baltbazar Gerard was the assassin of William the Silent, of 
Orange, at Delft, Jaly 10, 1584. 

Henry IV, of France was killed hy Ravaillar, May 14, 16 10. 
The murderer was but ned, tern by not pincers, hot lead was 
poured into his wounds and finally he was pulled asunder by 
horses. 

A monk, Jacques Clement, was the assassin of Henry III, of 
France. The date was July 31, 15S9. 

While escaping from the battlefield of Sanchielburn 
lames HI, of Scotland, was killed by the rebel Borthwick, June 
II, 1488. 

MURDER IN SCOTLAND. 

James I, of Scotland, was murdered at Perth by conspirators, 
headed by Sir Robert Graham and Earl Athol, February 21, 1437! 
The assassins were hano-ed* 

John the Pearless, oi Burgundy, while conferring with the 
French Dauphin on thu bridge of Montereau, was assassinated by 
Orleanists, the DaupUin s attendants, September 10, 1419. 

Darius III, of Persia, was killed 330 B. C. by Bessus, who 
was torn to pieces. 

Philip II, of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was 
assassinated by Pausanias at Aegae during the celebration of 
games at his daughter's wedding, 336 B. C. 

Julius Csesar was assassinated 44 B. C. by Brutus at the foot 
of the statute of Pompey, the base of which was bathed in Cesar's 
blood. 

Attempts at assassination of rulers have been legion. Some 
of those from the time of George III down follow : 

George HI of England, mad attempt by Margaret Nicholson, 
August 2, 1786, again, by James Hatfield, May 15, 1800. 

Napoleon I, attempt by an infernal machine, December 24, 
1800. ' ^' 

George IV. (when regent), attempt, January 26, 1817. 



HISTORY S ROLL OF ASSASSINATIONS. 233 

Louis Philippe of France, many attempts, by Fiesclii, July 
28, 1835 ; by Allbaud, June 25, 1836 ; by Meunier, December 27, 
1836; by Darmos, October 15, 1840; by Lecomte, April 14, 1846; 
by Henry, July, 29, 1846. 

Frederick William IV of Prussia, attempt, by Sofelage, May 
22, 1850. 

Francis Joseph of Austria, attempt, by Libenyi, February 

18, 1853- 

Isabella II of Spain, attempts by La Riva, May 4, 1847 '■> ^7 
Merino, February 2, 1852 ; by Raymond Fuentes, May 28, 1856. 

Napoleon III, attempts by Pianori, April 28, 1855 ; by 
Bellemarre, September 8, 1855 ; by Orisini and others (France), 
January 14, 1858. 

Amedeus, Duke of Aosta, when King of Spain, attempt, July 

19, 1872. 

Prince Bismarck, attempt, by Blind, May 7, 1866 ; by Kull- 
man, July 13, 1874. 

Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey, June 4, 1S76. 

William I of Prussia and Germany, attempts, by Oscar 
Becker, July 14, 1861 ; by Hodel, May 11, 1878 ; by Dr. Nobel- 
ing, June 2, 1878. 

Humbert I, King of Italy, attempt, by John Passaranti, 
March 17, 1888. 

Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India, attempt, by Busa, December 
12, 1878. 

Alfonso XII of Spain, attempts, by J. O. IMoncast, October 
25, 1878 ; by Francisco Otero Gonzales, December 30, 1879. 

Loris Melikoff, Russian general, attempt, March 4, 1880. 

September 6, 1901. The assassination that shocked the 
world more than any other crime, was that of President McKin- 
ley, at the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo. He died on Sep- 
tember 14 The assassin was convicted of murder oh Septem- 
ber 24, and sentenced on the 26th to be electrocuted at Auburn 
Penitentiary during the week beginning October 28. 



CHAPTER XIL 

Strong Hopes at First of the President's Recovery — Days of 
Anxious Suspense— Some Account of the Assassin— Ar- 
rest of Notorious Anarchists. 

FOR six days after the President was sliot the bulletins an- 
nounced that his condition was favorable and there was a 
prospect of his recovery. This intelligence was everywhere 
received with great rejoicing, and relieved the agony of suspense. 
On September 8th the following statement was made by a promi- 
nent surgeon, who v/a3 among those in attendance upon the 
President : 

" In regard to the present condition of President McKinley, 
I would call your attention to the fact that it is but little over 
forty-eight hours since the shot was fired. It is as yet too soon 
to speak confidently of the outcome. At the present hour, how- 
ever, and giving due consideration to the severity of the injury 
and the importance and extent of the operation required, the 
patient's condition is entirel}^ satisfactory. 

'' It is gratifying to find that up to the present time none of 
the numerous signs of inflammation or septic conditions have 
appeared. The temperature is not too high. It is lower to-night 
than it was this morning. The pulse is better ; the facial expres- 
sion is entirely satisfactory ; the mind is clear ; there is no pain 
or tenderness, no nausea, and no distension of the abdomen. At 
this stage I consider that this is a satisfactory condition, and yet 
it is much too soon to feel real confidence that unfavorable condi- 
tions have been entirely escaped — entirely too soon to make any 
such statements. For the present we are entirely satisfied, and ii 
these conditions continue for the next two days we shall feel 
further confidence. 

*'I may add to thiat this truthful tribute : If the Presidsnt 
2S4 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY. 223 

lives, he will owe his life to the promptness and surgical skill 
which his professional attendants showed." 

A correspondent who learned all the particulars of the Presi- 
dent's condition made the following comments : 

" President McKinley maintains a good measure of his strength, 
and those who watch at his bedside hold higher hope for his ulti- 
mate recovery. The shock from the wounds inflicted upon him 
by Leon Czolgosz seems to have been less than was anticipated, 
and that is regarded as highly favorable to him. It is admitted 
that the crisis in his condition has not yet come, and that there is 
the gravest danger until it has been safely passed. All the bulletins 
sent from the chamber of the wounded President indicated a spirit 
of hopefulness. 

FEAR OF BLOOD POISONING. 

"The greatest fear of the President's physicians is that 
septic poisoning will set in, and it is for the first symptoms of 
this that they are now watching. One bullet lodged in the mus- 
cles of the back, and the physicians have decided that, for the 
present, it is of secondary importance, The bullet took a hori- 
zontal course, but neither the intestines nor the kidneys were 
injured. Of this the physicians are confident. If inflammation 
should appear in the neighborhood of the place where the bullet 
is believed to have lodged, the Iloentgeu ray will be used to 
locate the bullet, and the doctors do not think there will be difficulty 
in extracting it. 

" Two physicians and two trained nurses are with the Presi< 
dent constantly. All others were excluded from the sick chamber 
this morning, as it was found tha' th*^ distinguished patient could 
not be restrained from sperking to those who entered the room. 
Quiet and absolute ireedom from the least excitement are con- 
sidered extreme'' y essential. 

" Mrs. Mclanley bears up bravely in her sorrow and the 
physicians in attendance feel but little concern on her account. 
At the request of the President, whose first thoughts were of her, 
she was told that he was not seriously wounded, and when she 



q3G HOPES OF THE PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY. 

first saw liim lie had. rallied from the operation, and was suffering 

little pain. She was content to leave his side during the night 

and rest herself. 

" With common impulse to spare the sufferer the annoyance 

that noise would inflict, the public keeps off the street in the 

neighborhood of the Milburn residence. The police have no 

trouble to keep the people at proper distance. A detachment of 

the Fourteenth United States Infantry was ordered to the house 

trom Fort Porter. A picket line was established in front of the 

house but the sentries found no work to do. Ropes were stretched 

across Delaware Avenue in order to keep teams off that thoi- 

oughfare. 

THE MILBURN RESIDENCE. 

"The Milburn residence is a large two and a half story brick 
building. Graceful ivy climbs over the front of it, and on the 
large lawn which surrounds it are a number of pretty shade trees. 
The President lies in the rear room on the second floor. The 
room was chosen because it insured the most complete quiet. 
Telegraph wires have been led to the stable in the rear of the 
Milburn residence and offlces opened there. The bulletins telling 
of the condition of the President are sent there by Di. Rixey and 
at once transmitted to the world. 

" Czolgosz insists that he alone planned the crime which may 
rob the United States of its Chief Execi:t.r\e, but thac statement 
is not accepted as true. There is a belief cndc he was nded by 
others in a deliberate plot, and that confedeia>v.s accompanied him 
to Buffalo and assisted in its execution." 

This buoyant i^ope that the President's ift would be spared 
was encouraged from day to day The Govern l "s of some of the 
States appointed a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing and a hope- 
ful feeling pervaded "he entire country. 

"We trust in God, and believe Mr. McKinley is going to 
recover speedil3\ I know that he has the best medical attendance 
that can he obtained, and I am perfectly satisfied that these 
doctors are handling the case splendidly. It is a great pleasure 
to know the deep interest and sympathy felt by the American 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY. 237 

people. The case is progressing so favorably that we are very 
happy." 

Mrs. McKinley, the wife of the President, said this at the 
Milburn honse, just after the three o'clock bulletin of the phj^si- 
cians was issued. This bulletin was the strongest and most 
favorable that had been put forward by the physicians since the 
President was shot. The seventy-two hours, which was the limit 
they had iixed for the development of peritonitis, had almost ex- 
pired, and their confidence had wonderfully encouraged the wife 
of the President. 

Mrs. McKinley was bearing up wonderfully under the ordeal. 
Stories were published that it had been deemed unwise to inlbrm 
her of the shooting of her husband ; that she did not know that 
an attempt had been made on his life, and that she had been told 
he had been injured by a fall. This preposterous fiction, carry- 
ing with it the inference that it was not safe to acquaint Mrs. 
McKinley with the real danger that had menaced her husband, 
aroused intense indignation, and was demolished by the most 
sweeping denials. 

BORE UP WITH GREAT COMPOSURE. 

As a matter of fact, Mrs. McKinley was informed of the at- 
tempt on her husband's life by Czolgosz within a few hours of 
the firing of the shots. She received the news Vv^ith calmness, 
and bore up with heroic composure, being much with her hus- 
band and having the utmost faith in his recuperative powers. 
These reports were regarded in Buffalo, not only by the members 
of the Cabinet, but by the public generally, as heartless and mis- 
chievous inventions. 

President McKinley improved so rapidly that on Monday, 
September 9th, it was confidently believed that the danger line 
had been passed. The President asked for the daily papers and 
for food, which were, of course, denied him. He jokingly re- 
marked that it was hard enough to be shot, without being stars- ed 
to death. For the first time since the shooting he spoke of his 
assailant, and said: "He must have been crazy." When told 



238 HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY. 

that the man was an Anarchist, he said that he hoped he would 
get fair treatment. 

On the same day, Senator M. A. Hanna wore a look of 
supreme contentment when he left the house where the President 
was lying, bravely battling with death. He felt absolutely 
certain that the President's recovery was only a matter of a few 
weeks, and he dictated this statement to a correspondent : 

"You may say, for the information of the American people, 
that all the news we have is good news. We know that the 
greatest danger is already past. We hope that in a few hours 
the President's physicians will announce that his case is beyond 
the possibility of a relapse. 

"Just say that for me, and I think it will give more satisfac- 
tion than if I talked a column." 

"You have no fears that there may be a change for the 
worse? " I asked. 

SENATOR HANNA'S DREAM. 

"That reminds me of a dream I had last night. You know 
dreams go by contraries. Well, sir, in this dream I was up at the 
Milburn house waiting to hear how the President was getting 
along, and everybody was feeling very good. We thought the 
danger was all past. I was sitting there talking with General 
Brooke and Mr. Cortelyou, and we were felicitating ourselves on 
how well the physicians had been carrying the case. 

" Suddenly, in my dream. Dr. McBurney entered the room 
through the door leading from the sick room with a look of the 
utmost horror and distress on his face. I rushed up to him, and, 
putting a hand on either shoulder, said: 'What is it, doctor? 
What is it ? Let us know the worst' " 

" Dr. McBurney replied : ' My dear Senator, it is absolutely 
the worst that could happen. The President has had a tremen- 
dous change for the worse. His temperature is now 440 degrees.' 
I fell back in my chair in utter collapse, and then I awoke. But, 
do you know, I couldn't rest easy until I saw the early bulletins 
this morn^iig." 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY. 2M 

" I am overjoyed to know that ever3/tliing is going all right." 
In these words, Vice-President Roosevelt signified his pleas- 
iire at the encouraging reports from the sick chamber of President 
McKinley. His manner indicated that they were heartfelt. We 
know now that everything was not "going right," and the confi- 
dence of Mr. Roosevelt was .ill founded. 

The Vice-President occupied a position of extreme delicacy 
after the President was shot and uncertainty remained as to the 
result of his wounds. He felt the blow so keenl}^, however, that 
no room was left in his mind for the thought that his enemies 
were watching every word and action in the hope of xinding some- 
thing which might be misconstrued to his disadvantage. His 
first impulse was to come immediately to Buffalo, and he did so 
without delay. 

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. 

A newspaper correspondent furnishes the following : 

"President McKinley was told that from all parts of the 
world messages of sympathy had arrived. He was also told that 
the American public had shown great grief over his misfortune, 
and had demonstrated that he holds a strong grip upon the affec- 
tions of his fellow countrymen. He was deeply touched, and said 
that he felt himself to be too highly honored. To Dr. Rixey he 
said that he hoped to recover to show that he appreciated all that 
had been done for him. 

'* Nothing has caused so deep distress to the friends of Presi- 
dent McKinley as the publication of the cruel canard that Mrs. 
McKinley has not yet been informed of the attack made upon 
her husband. This publication carries with it the impres- 
sion that the President's wife is in no mental condition tc realize 
what is going on about her, as it has been known that she had 
seen her husband each day since his injury, and that she has 
known of the crowds that gather in front of the house eager to 
learn of his condition. 

"The truth is that Mrs. McKinley was told a fev^^ hours after 
the shooting, and more, she has been kept in no ignorance of his 



240 HOPES OF THE PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY. 

condition since. She is stronger to-day than she has been before 
in years, and the physicians are all of the opinion that the tragedy 
has aroused her from that lethargy Vv^hich was perhaps the pritae 
cause of her illness. 

" The strangest feature of the progress that has been made 
toward recovery by President McKinley is that he has at no time 
shown any symptoms of relapse. After the operation there was 
no sinking spell which usually results from such a shock, and 
from the moment that his wounds were dressed his progress has 
been steady and satisfactory. Each hour has shown an improve- 
ment over the previous one. 

" Dr. McBurney said that in all his experience as a physician 
he has never known another patient who exhibited so great a 
cendency to respond to medical treatment as does President Mc- 
Kinley. ' It is marvelous,' said he, ' and it is worthy of the study 
of men who are capable of understanding such matters.' 

HER VISITS QUIETED HIM. 

" Mrs. McKinley was permitted to have more than the hour 
with her husband. This was granted for the reason that the 
physicians have found that her visits, if anything, had a bene- 
ficial effect upon the President. He seems to rest more easily 
when she is with him than at any other time. She obeys the 
injunction not to permit her husband to talk, and it seems to 
give the President confidence in himself to see that his wife is so 
greatly improved in health. 

" She went to his rooms a little before ten o'clock this morn- 
ing, and remained there until after eleven. After she left him the 
President asked how long it would be before he would be per- 
mitted to partake of food. Dr. Rixey told him that the wounds 
in his stomach would not heal inside of a week or ten days, and, 
during that time it would be impossible for him to take any solid 
substance. This information was far from pleasant, but the 
President made no complaint. 

" There seems to be no abatement in the interest displayed 
in President McKinley's condition, and there is certainly no 



HOPES OF THE I'RESIDENT'S RECOVERY. Oji 

al^atement in tlie sympathy of the public. It is a paradoxical 
condition of affairs that the attempted assassination of President 
McKinley has drawn to Buffalo more people than have been in 
the city at any other time since the Pan-American Exposition 
opened, and yet, the effect has been to cut the attendance to the 
fair almost fifty per cent. Visitors seem to be here for the 
purpose of extending sympathy to the President and to learn of 
his condition. It is the opinion of the management of the Expo- 
sition that the attendance will mend in a few days. 

'' At the hour when Buffalonians most generally retire, the 
announcement was made last night that President McKinley 
was constantly improving and that his condition was entirelj' 
satisfactory. Yet, in spite of all this, the crowds refused to be 
satisfied, and all night long they lingered in the streets near the 
Miiburn house. They pushed in as close as the guard would 
permit them, and at the half hour intervals insisted upon sending 
messengers into the newspaper tent to obtain the latest in- 
formation. 

THOUSANDS GATHERED OUTSIDE. 

" After each bulletin a few would retire, but others were ready 
to take their places, and at sunrise this morning more than two 
thousand persons were within two blocks of the house in which 
the stricken President lies. It is so cold to-night that this will 
bardly be repeated. But so persistent are the demands for the 
latest information that arrangments have been made with the 
telephone company to give the bulletins to all who may request 
them. This service is continuous, and four telephone stations 
have been set apart for the dissemination of news from the 
Miiburn house. 

" Another indication of confidence in the President's recovery 
was the announcement made by Mr. Buchanan, of the Pan- 
American Exposition, that there would be another President's 
day before the exhibition closed. It is proposed to make the 
occasion a festival of rejoicing over the President's recovery. IVIr. 
Buchanan did not make the announcement until he had received 
iUther positive assurances that the President would recover." 

16 McK 



242 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY. 



From fhese statements it will be seen How confident were 
those nearest the President that he would recover, and his valua- 
ble life would be spared to his countrymen and the world. Alas, 
for human hope ! 

" I look upon the President's recovery as assured," said 
Lyman J. Gage, vSecretary of the Treasury, at the Buffalo Club, 
before his departure for Washington. "Dr. McBurney told me 
to-day that the wounds in the stomach were healing nicely, and 
that there was no longer any thing to fear from them. 

" There has not been the slightest symptom of peritonitis, 
and, in fact, there have been absolutely no bad symptoms in the 
case. Dr. McBurney told me that one or two things might 
happen to the bullet, which has not yet been removed. It would 
either remain lodged in the muscles of the back, or else it had 
fallen down into some one of the abdominal spaces. In either 
case, nothing was to be feared from it, unless it should cause 
inflammation, and in that event it could be located at once and 
removed without dif&culty. 

CRITICAL PERIOD. 

" I asked the doctor how long it would be before inflamma- 
tion appeared if I should shoot myself in the leg and the bullet 
should lodge there. He told me that it would appear within 
thirty-six hours after the operation. In the President's case that 
period has been passed, and, as no unfavorable symptoms have 
occurred, I believe that nothing serious is to be feared from the 
presence of the bullet. It has probably been encysted long ago." 

Secretary Gage said that there were no pending matters of 
importance at present, the settlement of which would be embar- 
rassed by the attack upon the President's life. He and Senator 
Hanna then joked about the monetary affairs of the Government, 
their tones indicating even more clearly than their assurances 
that the two men were completely reassured as to the President's 
condition. 

"I shall go to Washington," said Secretary Gage. "It 
seems to me that my place ia there." 



HOPES OF THE PRESH^ENT'S RECOVERY. 



243 



Tlie deep interest manifested in tlie President's welfare over- 
shadowed everything else, even the Exposition and business. 
Special services \vere held daily at St. Paul's Church, where noon- 
day prayers were offered for the President's recovery. When the 
Right Rev. Bishop Walker began the service on Tuesday the 
':hurch was well filled with worshipers. 

At ten o'clock Abner McKinley, brother of the President ; 
William Hawk, of Canton, an intimate of the President's family, 
and Charles Miller, also of Canton and a cousin of the President, 
with Colonel W. C. Brown, of New Yerk, came up the avenue in 
an automobile at lively speed and were promptly admitted. 
Later, when Abner McKinley emphasized the statement that the 
President was rapidly improving, the glad tidings went along the 
line of anxious watchers. 

As Mr. McKinley's brother departed Senator Hanna and 
other friends arrived, and presently the cottage piazza was full of 
guests. Messengers were running with joyful briskness, and a 
score of cameras were leveled at Mr. Hanna, who simply beamed 
on everybody and even addressed pleasant words to the photo- 
graphers. 

FAVORABLE NEWS. 

When Senator Hanna left the cottage, half an hour later, his 
face was in smiles, and he walked arm in arm with a friend down 
the pavement telling every one that the day for anxiety had 
passed. Senator Fairbanks and Mr. Dawes, Controller of the 
Currency, emerged from the cottage ten minutes later, their faces 
also smiling, and the exclamations "Splendid! Splendid! Good 
news indeed !" fell from the lips of Senator Fairbanks. 

As the rising temperature drove the chill of the morning 
from the atmosphere it had a new rallying effect on the President. 
In an incredibly short time the news was on every lip that the 
President was really going to recover. The temperature con- 
tinued falling and the pulse and respiration gradually returned 
toward that much longed for point, normal. 

At noon the President was said to be asleep, and later his 
condition was reported as improving so rapidly as to make an 



244 HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY, 

X-ray search for tlie bullet unnecessary. A second operation 
was not considered imperative, unless tlie bullet should be found 
near the spine and liable to cause paralysis. All tbese points 
were discussed witb surprising freedom by the crowds strung 
along the barricade north and south of the cottage. 

Vice-President Roosevelt came at noon, and when he left the 
cottage his manner indicated that danger had passed. He was 
accosted by a negro trimming a lawn on the avenue. 

" May I shake your hand ? " asked the black man, as he 
approached Mr. Roosevelt. "You certainly may," replied the 
Vice-President, grasping his hand heartily. Two workingmen 
with dinner pails came along, and they, too, greeted the Vice- 
President, who shook them warmly by the hand. 

" Are you not afraid to be stopped ? " one of them asked. 

HAS NO FEAR. 

" No," replied Mr. Roosevelt, with animation. " I hope no 
official in our country will ever be afraid. You workingmen are 
our protection, and I am sure that the crime of Friday will only 
make you more determined to have the laws enforced and the 
lives of public officials whom you elect to office protected. Such 
men as you, with the ballot, are the salvation of the country, and 
there is no need of resorting to violence." 

As Mr. Roosevelt continued walking he was asked about the 
President's condition. " I have every faith," he said, " in the 
physicians, and I believe the bulletins are not too sanguine. 
I am convinced that the President will recover, and rapidly, too. 
As a matter of fact, the country is full of old soldiers, many of 
whom carry bullets in their bodies, and they do not suffer any 
great inconvenience or pain. I remember two of my own men 
who were shot in the same manner in the Cuban War. Yet they 
lay in the marshes, as extraordinary as it may seem, for some 
considerable time without attendance, and both rr::overed. Yes 
I believe the President is out of danger." 

The day following came another reassuring statement from 
the President's chamber. 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY, 245 

'^ President McKinley's coudition continues favorable. While 
this is true, and there is no intention to give needless alarm it is 
not unfair now to say that optimism may be carried to an extreme. 
The Presient is still far on the wrong side of the line of absolute 
safety. This is established by the information given by a mem- 
ber of his ofi&cial family, which is to the effect that even if Presi- 
dent McKinley continues to improve as steadily as he has during 
the last four days it will not be less than three weeks, and proba- 
bly a month, before he can leave Buffalo. 

" So far is it from my intention to give cause for alarm 
concerning President McKinley that I will say that all news from 
him to-day was good news. The President is becoming stronger 
every hour. He is now able to move himself about in bed with 
little difficulty. 

LIKELY TO CARRY THE BULLET. 

'' That he will probably carry the bullet of the assassin with 
him to the grave, is the opinion of Dr. Charles McBurney. In a 
statement this morning after the consultation of the physicians 
he said that unless the bullet embedded in the muscles of the 
back caused trouble there would be no necessity to extract it. In 
his opinion, it would not even be located with the X-ray. Nothing 
could be gained by the use of the X-ray, he said, except the 
satisfaction of curiosity. President McKinley has been permitted 
several times to-day to drink water, the first he has had since the 
attempt was made upon his life. The amount given has been 
small, but that he has received any indicates the confidence of 
his physicians. 

" Nourishment in a liquid form is also being administered 
to him in the normal manner and without the slightest ill effect. 
This is considered one of the best symptoms of his convalescence. 
Gradually this liquid nourishment will be strengthened, and if 
there are no setbacks it will be only a few days before Mr. Mc- 
Kinley will be allowed solid food. At first it will be only in 
infinitely small quantities, but if no ill effects follow the amount 
will be increased as the physicians think best. 

" Realizing the intense interest that exists on the part of the 



246 HOPES OF THE PREblDENFb KECO>V£Ki„ 

public in everything that pertains to President McKmley, the 
authorities to-day gave permission to an artist to sketch within 
the Milburn house. He was not permitted to enter the room 
where the President rests, but that room was carefully described 
lo him by those who do go in and out. 

"Great interest in current events is being manifested by 
President McKinle}^, but thus far all knowledge of the world out- 
side the room he occupies has been kept from him. While per- 
haps no harm would come from his being informed of the world's 
doings, it is deemed wise for the present to give him as little as 
possible to think about. 

" No one has yet been allowed to see him except Mrs. 
McKinley, Secretary Cortelyou and the physicians. Even Mrs. 
McKinley goes to his room only once a day and then remains for 
only a short time. To-day she did not go to the President undl 
after her drive, and then sat beside his bed only a few minutes. 

DEVOTED AND COURAGEOUS. 

*' When Mrs. McKinley visits the President very little is said 
by either. Sitting beside his bed, the devoted and courageous 
wife holds her husband's hand and in silent communion for the 
most part they pass the minutes allowed them to be together by 
the careful physicians. 

"There is little distinction between day and night in the 
President's room. He has no regular hours for sleeping, but 
every few hours he becomes drowsy and he generally sleeps 
several hours at a time. There is always a nurse in attendance 
upon him, and at least one of the physicians remains in an ad- 
joining room. When he awakens from one of his naps he is 
given a small drink of water containing nourishing- ingredients, 
and the physician in charge takes his temperature, pulse and 
respiration. 

" It is not often that more than two persons am in his room 
at the same time, quiet being one of the main necessities at 
present, and the physicians are extremely careful not to disturb 
him more than is absolutely necessary. Whichever one is to 



HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY. 247 

make tlie examination at any particular time goes in alone and 
makes a report to the others. 

" During the visits of Mrs. McKinley to the President's bed- 
side there has been no discussion of the attempted assassination. 
Mrs. McKinley, however, is in possession of all the facts connected 
• with it. Almost immediately after the President was removed ' 
from the Exposition grounds to the Milburn residence, the opera- 
tion being over, she was taken by Dr. Rixey to his room and she 
then knew all but the most harrowing details. The news was 
broken to her as gently as possible, but no effort was made to 
conceal the main facts from her. 

"Her strength, courage and cheerfulness have been the 
marvel of all those who know her best, but they have feared she 
would by this time break down under the strain. Yet she seems 
stronger to-day than ever and never had been more self-contained 
and cheerful than when she visited the President this afternoon." 

WHAT A DETECTIVE SAID. 

In an interview, Secret Service Detective Ireland, who, with 
Detectives Foster and Gallagher, were near the President when 
the shots were fired, said : 

" It is incorrect, as has been stated, that the least fear of an 
assault was entertained by the Presidential party. Since the 
Spanish War the President has traveled all over the country, and 
has met people everywhere. In Canton he walks to church and 
downtown without the sign of secret service men of any kind, 
as an escort. In Washington he walks about the White House 
grounds, drives out freely, and has enjoyed much freedom from 
the presence of detectives. 

" It has been my custom to stand back of the President, and 
just to his left, so that I could see the right hand of every person 
approaching, but yesterday I was requested to stand opposite the 
President so that Mr. Milburn could stand to the left and intro- 
duce the people who approached. That way I was unable to get 
a good look at everyone's right hand. 

" A few moments before Czolgosz approached, a man came 



248 HOPES OF THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY. 

along with three fingers of his right hand tied in a bandage and 
he had shaken hands with his left. When Czolgosz came up I 
noticed he was a boyish looking fellow, with an innocent face, 
perfectly calm, and I also noticed that his right hand was wrapped 
in what appeared to be a bandage. 

" I watched him closely, but was interrupted by the man in 
front of him, who held on to the President's hand an unusually 
long time. This man appeared to be an Italian, and wore a short, 
heavy, black mustache. He was persistent, and it was necessary 
for me to push him along so that the others could reach the 
President. 

"Just as he released the President's hand, and as the Presi- 
dent was reaching for the hand of the assassin, there were two 
quick shots. Startled for a moment, I looked up and saw the 
President draw his right hand up under his coat, straighten up, 
and, pressing his lips together, give Czolgosz the most scornful 
and contemptuous look possible to imagine. 

THE BIG COLORED MAN. 

" At the same time I reached for the young man and caught 
his left arm. The big colored man standing just back of him, 
and who would have been the next to take the President's hand, 
struck the young man in the neck with one hand, and with the 
other reached for the revolver, which had been discharged through 
the handkerchief and the shots from which had set fire to the 
linen. 

" Immediately a dozen men fell upon the assassin and bore 
him to the floor. While on the floor Czolgosz again tried to dis- 
charge the revolver, but before he could point it at the President, 
it was knocked from his hand by the colored man. It flew 
across the floor and one of the artillerymen picked it up and put 
it in his pocket. On the way down to the station Czolgosz would 
not say a word, but seemed greatly agitated." 



CHAPTER xm. 

Last Hours of the President — " It is God's Way, His Wil< 
be Done" — Anxious Multitudes Await the Sorrowfi: 
Tidings — Universal Grief and Sympathy. 

/^N Friday morning, September thirteenth, the unexpected in teh 
^-^ ligencewas sent forth to the world that President McKinlej'- 
had suffered a serious relapse and was at death's door. The news 
came with greater force from the fact that through five preceding 
days the bulletins from the sick room had been so encouraging 
and satisfactory. 

All the hopes that had been inspired of the illustrious 
patient's recovery were suddenly extinguished. The country may 
be said to have almost held its breath during the day, which closed 
with the gloomy announcement that the President could not live. 
The suspense was universal and gloom was written on every face. 

Milburn House, Buffalo, N.Y., Sept. 14. — President McKinley 
died at the Milburn house at 2.15 A. M. in the morning of Sep- 
tember 14th. He has been unconscious since 7.50 P. M. His 
last conscious hour on earth was spent with the wife to whom he 
devoted a lifetime of care His last words were an humble sub- 
mission to the will of the God in whom he believed. He was 
reconciled to the cruel fate to which an ass.'^ssin's bullet had con- 
demned him, and faced death in the same spirit of calmness and 
poise which marked his long and honorable career. 

His relatives and the members of his official family were at 
the Milburn house, except Secretary Wilson, who did not avail 
himself of the opportunity, and some of his personal and political 
iriends took leave of him. This painful ceremony was simple. His 
friends came to the door of the sick room, took a longing glance 
at him and turned tearfully away. He was practically unconscious 
during this time. But the powerful heart stimulants, including 
oxygen, were employed to restore him to consciousness for his 
iinal parting with his wife. He asked for her, and she sat at his 



side and held his hand. He consoled her and bade her good-bye. 
She went through the heart trying scene with the same bravery 
and fortitude with which she bore the grief of the tragedy which 
ended his life. 

Before 6 o'clock it was clear to those at the President's bed- 
side that he was dying and preparations were made for the last 
sad offices of farewell from those who were nearest and dearest to 
him. Oxygen had been administered steadily, but with little 
effect in keeping back the approach of death. The President 
came out of one period of unconsciousness only to relapse into 
another. But in this period, when his mind was partially clear, 
occurred a series of events of profundly touching character. 
Downstairs, with strained and tear stained faces, members of the 
Cabinet were grouped in anxious waiting. 

KNEW THE END WAS NEAR. 

They knew the end was near, and that the time had come 
when they must see him for the last time on earth. This was 
about 6 o'clock. One by one they ascended the stairway — 
Secretary Root, Secretary Hitchcock and Attorney General Knox. 
Secretary Wilson also was there, but he held back, not wishing 
to see the President in his last agony. There was only a 
momentary stay of the Cabinet ofiicers at the threshold of the 
death chamber. Then they withdrew, the tears streaming down 
their faces and the words of intense grief choking in their 
throats. 

After they left the sick room, the physicians rallied him to 
consciouness, and the President asked almost immediately that 
his wife be brought to him. The doctors fell back into the 
shadows of the room as Mrs. McKinle}^ came through the door- 
way. The strong face of the dying man lighted up with a faint 
smile as their hands were clasped. She sat beside him and held 
his hand. Despite her physical weakness, she bore up bravely 
under the ordeal. 

The President in his last period of consciouness, which ended 
zbout 7.40, chanted the words of the hymn, " Nearer, My God, to 



'LAsr .ttouRS or the PKt:biD£N'r 251 

TTiee," and his last audible conscious words as taken down by Dr. 
Mann at the bedside were : 

" Good-bye, all, good-bye. It is God's way. His will be done.'' 
Then his mind began to wander, and soon afterward he com- 
pletely lost consciousness. His life was prolonged for hours by 
the administration of oxygen, and the President finally expressed 
a desire to be allowed to die. About 8.30 the administration of 
oxygen ceased and the pulse grew fainter and fainter. He was 
sinking gradually like a child into the eternal slumber. By 10 
o'clock the pulse could no longer be felt in his extremities, and 
they grew cold. Below stairs the grief stricken gathering waited 
sadly for the end. 

All the evening those who had hastened here as fast as steel 
and steam could carry them continued to arrive. They drove up 
in carriages at a gallop or whisked up in automobiles, all intent 
upon getting here before death came. One of the last to arrive 
was Attorney General Knox, who reached the house at 9.30. He 
was permitted to go upstairs to look for the last time on the 
face of his chief. 

^'THE PRESIDENT IS DYING." 

At 9.37 Secretary Cortelyou, who had been much of the time 
with his dying chief, sent out formal notification that the Presi- 
dent was dying. But the President lingered on, his pulse growing 
fainter and fainter. 

There was no need for official bulletins after this. Those 
who came from the house at intervals told the same story — that the 
President was dying, and that the end might come at any time. 
His tremendous vitality was the tanly remaining factor in the 
result, and this gave hope only of brief postponement of the end. 
Secretary Root and Secretary Wilson came from the house about 
midnight, and paced up and down the sidewalk. All that Secre- 
tary Root said was : " The night has not yet come." 

Despite the fact that vitality continued to ebb as midnight 
ipproached no efforts were spared to keep the spark of life glow- 
ing. Dr. Janeway, of New York city, arrived at the Buffalo depot 



252 LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

at 11.40 o'clock. George Urban was waiting for him, and they 
drove at a breakneck pace to the Milburn house. He was shown 
to the President's room at once, and began an examination of the 
almost inanimate form. 

Secretary of the Navy Long arrived at the Milburn house at 
12.06 o'clock. This was his first visit to the city, and he had the 
extreme satisfaction of seeing the President alive, even though 
he was not conscious of his visitor's presence. Secretary Long 
was visibly effected. 

LOOKING ANXIOUSLY FOR ROOSEVELT. 

There was no possibility thaf Mr. Roosevelt would get to 
Buffalo Friday night Ansley Wilcox, who entertained the Vice- 
President, said to inquirers that the best information he had was 
that Mr. Roosevelt would arrive next day. He said that the Vice- 
President would be unable to reach a railroad station much before 
4 O'clock next morning, and that would bring him to Buffalo 
about noon on Saturday. Mr. Wilcox said, in explanation of 
Mr. Roosevelt's being so far out of touch : 

"The Vice President was at all times very optimistic, and 
when he went away was absolutely positive that the President 
would recover, and that the convalescence would be rapid. He 
certainly never expected to-day's sad occurrences." 

Shortly after midnight the President's breathing was barely 
perceptible. His pulse had practically ceased, and the extremities 
were cold. It was recognized that nothing remained but the last 
struggle, and some of the friends of the family who had remained 
through the day, began to leave the house, not caring to be 
present at the final scenes. 

Such an intense state of anxiety existed among the watchers 
that rumors gained frequent circulation that death already had 
actually occurred. The arrival of the coroner gave rise to one of 
such rumors, and numerous groundless despatches were sent say- 
ing that the end had come. These were speedily set at rest by 
an official statement from within the house that the reports of 
death were groundless, and that the President still lived. 



LAST HOURS OF THE PRESH3ENT. 253 

Coroner Wilson said tliat lie liad been ordered by the District 
Attorney of the connty to go to the Milburn residence as soon as 
possible after the announcement of death. He had seen a reput- 
able local paper issued, with the announcement that the Presi- 
dent died at 11.06 P. M., and had hurried up so that there would 
be no delay in removing the body. He was very much chagrined 
when Dr. Mann met him at the door and told him that his services 
were not required and that he would be notified when he was 
wanted. Dr. Mann said that the President was still alive 
and that Dr. Janeway was examining the heart action. There 
was really no hope, but they did not desire gruesome antici- 
pation. 

One of the members of the Cabinet who came from the house 
at 2 o'clock for a stroll along the front walk said a meeting of the 
Cabinet would be held probably in the morning to take such 
action as would be required by the circumstances. He said the 
expectation of the Cabinet was that the remains would be taken 
to Washington, and then lie in state in the Capitol, afterwards 
going to Canton for final interment. 

FELL INTO A GENTLE SLUMBER. 

President McKinley's death was entirely painless. He had 
been sinking gradually but steadily through the entire night, and 
for almost four hours had been unconscious. When the end 
finally came, Dr. Rixey alone of the physicians was with him, but 
so gradual was the approach of death that it is difficult to say the 
exact second he breathed his last. Dr. Rixey, standing by the 
l)cdside, held the Presideut's hand, felt for the pulse that was 
imperceptible, bending forward he felt the President's heart and 
listened for the breath that was not drawn, and then announced 
the end. 

When the announcemeut was first made to Mrs. McKinley 
that her husband could not live, she seemed to be resigned and 
bore up bravely, but as the full significance of her loss came upon 
her, she gave way under the strain, and at the time of her hus- 
band's death she was under the care of a physician and nurses. 



254 LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

It was feared tliat slie will recover from tlie loss of lier husband 
with diificult}'-, if at all. 

Immediately after the death of President McKinley, Secre- 
tary Cortelyon came out of the Milburn house and to the visiting 
newspaper men announced the end. A telegram had been sent 
to President Roosevelt and an attempt was made to intercept him 
on his journey. A call was issued for a Cabinet meeting early in 
the morning. 

The announcement of the death to the members of the Cabi- 
net was made by Webb Hayes, who said : " It is all over." 

Mrs. McKinley last saw her husband between ii and 12. At 
that time she sat by the bedside holding his hand. The mem- 
bers of the Cabinet were admitted to the sick room singly at that 
time. The actual death probably occurred about two o'clock, it 
being understood that Dr. Rixey delayed the announcement 
momentarily to assure himself 

GREAT EXCITEMENT ON THE AVENUE. 

The announcement of the news to those waiting below was 
postponed until the members of the family had withdrawn. 
Through Secretary Cortelyon the waiting newspaper men received 
the notification. In a trice there was the keenest excitement on 
the broad avenue, but there was no semblance of disorder. 

When the news was imparted to those down stairs a great sigh 
of anguish went up from the strong men there assembled. The 
-aiembers of the Cabinet, Senators and close friends remained but 
a few minutes. Then, with mournful tread and bowed heads, 
they came out into the darkness and went away. There was not 
one among them with dry eyes, and some moaned in an agony oi 
grief 

The military guard was augmented immediately upon the 
announcement. The waiting crowds melted away rapidly, giving 
expression in unmistakable terms to the great sorrow they felt. 
Within a brief space of time the newspaper men, the police, the 
sentries of the guard, and those whose duties kept them abroad, 
were the only persons in evidence within the immediate vicinity 



LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 26ft 

Senator Burroughs said: "The President's death seemed to be 
painless. He seemed to fall into calm and peaceful repose." 

With the momentary excitement incident upon the announce- 
ment at an end, the entire scene became one of unmistakable and 
deep mourning. As if nature lent its aid to the grieving crowds, 
a dense fog settled like a pall over the city. The Milburn house 
became a tomb of silence. Lights not extinguished were 
dimmed, visitors were denied admittance and the mourning 
» family and their more intimate friends were speedily left aloue 
with tKeir distinguished dead. 

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. 

When the blow fell and official announcement came that 
President McKinley had passed away at 2.15 o'clock, the crowds 
which had been on the streets, restlessly and sorrowfully 
awaiting news of the end, had retired for the night, as had all the 
Government officials save a few clerks at the State, War and Navy 
Departments. Secretary Hay had given directions what should 
be done, and Acting Chief Clerk Martin and other employes, as 
soon as they received official confirmation of the news, immedi- 
ately indicted cablegrams to each and every United States Ambas- 
sador and Minister, notifying them that President McKinley died 
at 2.15 o'clock in the morning, in Buffalo, and instructing them 
so to inform the Governments to which they were accredited. 

There were no details in the messages — nothing bt.j this 
brief announcement — and they were identical in language, except 
in the names of the persons addressed. The Ambassadors and 
Ministers were expected to communicate the information in turn 
to the United States Consular officers within the limits of 
their posts. In cases of countries like Australia and Canada, 
where the United States Government is not represented in a diplo- 
matic capacity, messages of like character w^ere sent to the 
United States Consuls General, who were to repeat them to the 
Consuls. The original message was signed by Secretary Hay, 
Mr. Babcock, his private secretary, having taken it from the 
State Department to the Secretary's home for that purpose. 



256 LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT, 

Arrangements were made by whicli Secretary Hay would 
meet Acting Secretar^^ of War Gillespie and Acting Secretary of 
tlie Navj^ Hackett in tlie State Department in the morning for 
the purpose of promulgating the necessary orders of the three 
departments. The order of the War Department was prepared. 
It was drafted on lines similar to that issued when President Gar- 
field was stricken. It was telegraphed to Secretary Root for hit' 
approval, and issued in his name. The order was addressed to all 
di virion and department commanders in the United States, the 
Philppines, Cuba, Porto Rico and Alaska, and announced the 
deatn of President McKinley, and directed that all work be sus- 
pended for the day, all flags to be at half staff, and that thirteen 
guns be fired in the morning and one at intervals of half an hour 
and forty-five guns at sunset. 

A GUARD OF HONOR. 

A similar order was issued by the Navy Department. It is 
also stated that a guard of honor, consisting of high officers of the 
army and navy, would be named to escort the remains of the dead 
President to Washington and to the place of interment. 

The White House piomptly sent the official announcement 
it had receieved of the death to Secretaries Hay and Gage, the 
only Cabinet members in town, and notified the Commissioners 
of the Distrct of Columbia. The White House flag was ha!f- 
masted, but a comparatively recentlact of Congress forbids draping 
public buildings with emblems of mourning. 

When the bulletins from the Milburn house grew hopeless 
in tone, preparations were made by the police and military to 
preserve the public peace and protect the assassin, Czolgosz. 
During the period of general rejoicing, marked by the reports of 
the President's improvement, public feeling agains. Czolgosz 
passed from the violent form it took on the day and night of the 
shootinp-. But this bitterness returned when it became evident 
that the President must die, and the temper of the people, 
gathered in knots and crowds in the streets, was for violence. 
Each frf^^'^ bulletin, carrying only bad news, brought out expies 




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THIS IS THE COLORED WAITER WHO IS SAID TO 
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OF MONEY BY 



LAST HOURS OF THF. TRESTDENT. 267 

sions against Czolgosz. Superintendent of Police Bull held the 
full police department in reserve, and made his plans so that 300 
men could be assembled at police headquarters in five mtnutes' 
notice. 

After communication with Superintendent Bull, Colonel M. 
Welch ordered out the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth Regiments 
of the National Guard. These regiments were assembled at their 
arsenals at 8.15 o'clock, and stood armed in readiness to any call. 
Colonel Welch, who commands the Sixt3^-fifth Regiment, said 
that he and Colonel Fox, of the Seventy-fourth, had agreed on 
this course. " I have ordered the regiments to assemble at the 
armories on my own responsibility," said Colonel Welch. "They 
will be prepared to respond to any call from the Superintendent 
of Police or the Mayor to quell riot or disturbance, to protect 
police headquarters and to maintain law and order in the city." 

REGIMENTS ON DUTY. 

The members of the two regiments were summoned to their 
armories by messenger, telegraph and proclamation in theatres 
and public places. This news only helped to divert attention 
from the dying President to the cell which held his assassin. 
Superintendent Bull issued a public statement, in which he said 
he was prepared to check, by force if necessar}^, any demonstra- 
tion that might be made by the people against the prisoner. 

" Crowds will not be allowed to congregate on the streets," 
said Superintendent Bull, "and should people gather in any con- 
siderable numbers in the vicinity of police headquarters, the)'- 
will be dispersed promptly. We do not propose to allow our 
•prisoner to be taken from us, and will meet force with force. The 
prisoner will not be removed from police headquarters to the jail. 
We are able to protect him, and we have the Sixty-fifth and 
Seventy-fourth Regiments under arms if we need them. No 
matter how dastardly this man's crime is, we intend, for the good 
name of the American people, to keep him safe for the vengeance 
5f the law." 

That these preparations were quite necessary became apparent 

17 McK 



Vig lAfT HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT- 

by 8.30 o'clock at night, wlien tlie people liad assembled m tbe 
vicinity of police Headquarters in such numbers that the streets 
were blocked and impassable. The police roped off all the streets 
at a distance of 300 to 400 feet from the nearest point of the 
building, and refused to admit any one within that limit. One 
hundred patrolmen patroled the ropes and fought back the 
crowds, while the mounted men galloped to and fro holding the 
crowds in repression. 

New details of police from the outside stations came in from 
time to time, and Superintendent Bull kept in constant touch on 
the telephone with Colonel Welch, who was at the Sixty-fifth 
armory, less than a mile away. Among the crowds the report 
was circulated that Czolgosz had been removed to the jail or some 
other place of confinement, but this was denied by Superintendent 
Bull and the other police officials. 

LAST DAY'S BULLETINS. 

The reader will be interested in the bulletins issued on the 
day preceding the President's death. 

The following was issued by the President's physicians at 
9 A. M. : 

" The President's condition has somewhat improved during 

the past few hours. There is a better response to stimulation. 

He is conscious and free from pain. Pulse, 128 ; temperature, 99.8. 

" P. M. Rixey, M. D. Mann, Roswell Park, Herman Mynter, 

Eugene Wasdin, Charles G. Stockton. 

"George B. Cortelyou, 

" Secretary to the President.'* 

"12.30 P. M. — The President's physicians report that his 
condition is practically unchanged since the 9 o'clock bulletin. 
He is sleeping quietly. "George B. Cortelyou, 

" Secretary to the President.'* 

The following bulletin was issued by the President's physi- 
cians at 2.30 P. M. : 

" The President has more than held his own since morning, 



LAST HOURS OF THF PRF.STr>F,NT or,., 

and tis condition justifies tlie expectation of further improvement 
He is better than yesterday at this time. Pulse, 123 ; tempera 
ture, 99.4. 

"P. M. Rixey, M. D. Mann, Herman Mynter, Eugene Wasdin, 
George G. Stockton. " George B. Cortelyou, 

''Secretary to the President." 

Secretary Cortelyou walked over to th e press headquarters shortly 
after the bulletin dated 2.30 P. M. was issued, and explained that 
the sentence in the bulletin, " he is better than yesterday at this 
time," should be stricken out. When the physicians were prepar- 
ing the bulletin, he said, they had in mind the President's condi- 
tion Thursday up to midnight. It will be remembered that it was 
just before that time when the first very alarming intimation 
began to come from the sick room about the impossibility of 
scouring from the President's stomach the undigested food, which 
not only threatened to contaminate the system, but which caused 
him exceedingly great discomfort. Resort had been had to a 
drastic bolus of calomel and oil. Just at midnight this radical 
remedy had its effect, and the movement of the bowels came, 
bringing with it an immediate lowering of pulse and great relief. 

NO ENCOURAGEMENT. 

*'4 P. M. — The President's physicians report that he is only 
slightly improved since the last bulletin. The pulse and tem- 
perature remain the same as at that hour. 

"George B. Cortelyou, 

" Secretary to the President." 

"5.35 P. M.— The President's physicians report that his con- 
dition is grave at this hour. He is suffering from extreme pros- 
tration. Oxygen is being given. He responds to stimulation but 
poorly. Pulse, 125 ; respiration, 40. 

"George B. Cortelyou, 

" Secretary to the President." 

''6.30 P. M.— The President's physicians report that his 
condition is most serious, in spite of vigorous stimulation. Th^ 



260 ^-'^ST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

depression continues and is profound. Unless it can be relieved 
the end is only a question of time. 

"George B. Cortelyou, 

" Secretary to the President." 
Hope and fear alternated all day among the watchers in and 
around the Milburn house. Every fragment of information was 
eagerly sought in the hope that it might be construed to mean 
that the danger had passed, and that reasonable hope of the Presi- 
dent's recovery might be entertained. Members of the President's 
family, the physicians, the officials of the Federal Government, 
and all who passed in and out of the house during the day were 
questioned as to the President's condition, but little of an encour- 
aging nature could be learned. The truth was too evident to be 
passed over or concealed. The President's life was hanging in 
the balance. The watchers felt that any moment might come the 
announcement of a change which would foreshadow the end. 

WAS TAKING NOURISHMENT. 

When the slight improvement noted in the early bulletins 
was maintained during the afternoon, and it was learned that the 
President was taking small quantities of nourishment, hope rose 
that he would pass the crisis in safety. Everybody knew, and no 
attempt was made to conceal it, that the comiug night would in 
all human probability decide whether the President was to live or 
die. It was known that he was being kept alive b}^ heart stimu- 
lants, and that the ph3^sicians had obtained a supply of oxygen, 
to be administered if the worst came. 

During the day President McKinley was conscious when he 
was not sleeping. Early in the morning when he woke he looked 
out of the window and saw that the sky was overcast with heavy 
clouds. *' It is not so bright as it was yesterday," said he. His 
eyes then caught the waving leaves of the trees glistening with 
rain. Their bright green evidently made an agreeable impression 
upon him. 

" It is pleasant to see them," said he feebly. 

As fast as steam could bring them the members of the Pte»i' 



LAST HOURS OF THE i'RliSlDi.Mi . Jibj 

denies Cabinet, his relatives and the physicians, who had left 
Buffalo, convinced that the President would recover, were whirled 
back to this city. They went at once to the house in which lie 
was lying and the information which they obtained there was of a 
nature to heighten, rather than to relieve their fears. All night 
the doctors had worked in the sick room to keep the President 
alive. 

Da}^ broke with a gloomy sky and a pouring rain oroken by 
frequent bursts of gusty downpours. It seemed as though nature 
was S37mpathizing with the gloom which surrounded the ivy-clad 
house, about w^hich the sentries were steadily marching. Sec- 
rctar}^ Cortelyou and j\Ir. Milburn had announced at half-past 4 
o'clock that the efforts of the doctors had produced a rally. Mrs. 
AIcKinley M^as then sleeping and great care was taken to prevent 
her from being awakened. 

HIS NATURAL SLEEP. 

President McKinley fell asleep at half past 5 o'clock, and 
slept for an hour. Dr. Wasdin said that this was the most 
natural sleep that he had had during the night. 

Secretary Hitchcock and Mr. Milburn appeared soon after 
the President awoke at half-past 6 o'clock. They said that both 
Dr. Rixey and Dr. Stockton believed the President still had a 
fighting chance. 

Almost as soon as it became light men and women began to 
gather at the ropes which have been stretched across the streets 
a block away in each direction from the Milburn ihouse. As the 
day bore on the crowds increased, and were even greater than 
they were on the day after tue President was shot. 

It was during the earlv hours of the morning that the Presi- 
dent's sinking spell was at its worst, and but little encourage- 
ment was drawn from the bulletins issued at 9 o'clock. It was 
noted that whilst the President's temperature had fallen his pulse 
had risen five beats in the minute, from 123 to 128, which showed 
that his heart was beating like the ticking of a watch. The con- 
clusion was drawn that the apparent improvement in his condi- 



2^s LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

tion was due solely to the action of the digitalis, strychnine and 
other medicine that had been given him to sustain the heart 

action. 

Senator Hanna, who went to Cleveland, jubilant in the cer- 
tainty that the President was going to get well, and that he 
might safely attend the meeting of the G. A. R. in his home city, 
reached the Milburn house at two minutes before lo o'clock. In 
his anxiety to reach the President's bedside he had come from 
Cleveland, a distance of 183 miles, at the rate of sixty-eight 
miles an hour. 

DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS. 

With Senator Hanna came Mrs. Hanna, Judge Day, of 
Canton ; Colonel Myron P. Herrick, of Cleveland; Senator Fair- 
banks of Indiana ; Mrs. Duncan and Miss McKinley, sisters of 
the President ; Miss Duncan and Mrs. Herrick. Senator Hanna 
reached the house first. The members of his party arrived soon 
after^vard. They joined Secretaries Wilson and Hitchcock, Mr. 
and Mrs. Herman Baer, Abner McKinley, Mrs. Lafayette 
McWilliams, Mr. Milburn, Wilson S. Bissel, John N. Scatcherd 
and Representative Alexander, who were in the house. The new 
arrivals were immediately informed of the critical condition of 
the President and their faces, which had been grave, became still 
graver as they listened. 

At this time anxiety in regard to the President's condition 
had become intense throughout Buffalo. Hundreds of men, 
women and children were massed at the ropes, their faces turned 
in the direction of the house, though many of them were unable 
to see it, and, of course, all were too far away to be able to hear 
anything. So many persons had gathered in the Milburn house 
that it was crowded. Groups formed on the lawn in front of the 
house to discuss the situation, and to exchange the latest news 
from the doctors. 

Across the street from the house there were scores of news- 
paper men waiting for news of the President's condition, and 
cloven? nf telegraph instruments were ticking noisily under the 



LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. Si^ 

tents which had been erected to shelter them. At a quarter 
before ii o'clock President McKinley had another nap. Dr. Park 
and Dr. Rixey remained by his side. 

Early in the morning, on the advice of the surgeons, Dr. 
Edward Jauev/ay, of New York city, and Dr. W. W. Johnson, of 
Washington, were summoned. Dr. Janeway was at St. Hubert's 
Inn, m the Adirondacks. He started for Buffalo as soon as he 
had been notified by Mr. Cortelyou that his presence was desired. 
Dr. Johnson was at Jamaica Island, off Portsmouth, N. H. 

Secretary Cortelyou was asked whether it was true that the 
physicians had been compelled to begin feeding the President 
through the stomach before it was safe to do so because the means 
first taken to give nourishment had caused irritation, resulting 
in the rejection of the food which had been injected before it had 
imparted any nourishment to the patient. This was the explana- 
tion commonly accepted of the surprisingly short time that had 
been permitted to elapse before the President was allowed to 
receive liquid and even solid food into his stomach. 

SATISFACTORY RESULTS. 

Mr. Cortelyou said that he had not been informed upon this 
point. He said that the stoppage of the functions of the bowels 
had created a poison in the President's system, but thpt during 
the day this had been practically eliminated. 

Dr. Roswell Park said : " The President was not given solid 
food before he could stand it. He was perfectly able to assimilate 
the food given him, had it not been that the impoverished food 
affected the heart. The heart refused to act properly without 
strong blood food, and that was why the toast, soaked in hot beef 
juice, was given him. He was not given coffee. He relished the 
food, and asked for a cigar, but this was denied. Everything 
known to medical science was done for him, and there was no mis- 
take made." Dr. Herman Mynter said : " At the time solid 
food was given him he was able to take it. There can be no mis- 
take about that. I do not believe that the food in his stomach 
had much effect on the heart." 



264 LAii'l HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

The President was asleep at half-past i o'clock. Only injec- 
tions of saline solution and digitalis in light doses had been 
used up to that hour. One of the physicians sat constantly at 
the bedside, with his fingers on the President's pulse, ready at 
any alarming change in the action of the heart to apply remedies 
which were in readiness to be used as a last resort. Tanks of 
oxygen were ready at hand to be drawn upon, and all the appli- 
auces that medical skill and science could provide were within 
reach. The beating of the pulse was sufficiently strong to enable 
the physicians to permit the President to have his sleep out. 

Dr. McBurney arrived at the Milburn house a little before 8 
o'clock. Shortly after his arrival oxygen Vv^as administered to the 
President, and under its influence the patient aroused. 

He was fully conscious, and whispered to Dr. Rixey that he 
knew that the end was at hand. He asked to see his wife, and 
Mrs. McKinley was sent for. She entered his room, and it was 
apparent to those present that of the two principal figures in this 
intense drama President McKinley, about to solve the great mys- 
tery, the more fully realized the significance of the awful moment. 
There was no show of fear in the attitude of the nation's Execu- 
tive. 

INFORMED HE WAS DYING. 

On the outside Mr. Milburn explained to Mrs. McKinley that 
the President was dying, and that he could live till morning only 
in the event of the direct interposition of Providence. She then 
eame to a full realization of the loss that was upon her, and she 
showed symptoms of a collapse. Herbert P. Bissell rushed to 
the assistance of the sorrowing wife, who was being literally sup- 
ported by Mr. Milburn. Word was sent to Dr. Wasdin, who 
came from the President's chamber and administered a restora- 
tive. Little by little she came back to her normal condition. 
Several women friends were with her, and in their sympathy she 
found surcease. To one she whispered : "I will be strong for 
his sake." 

An attempt was made to persuade Mrs. McKinley to retire 
and get some rest She refused. She §aid that her duty was 



i^Sr HOOKS OF THE PRESIDENT. 2«,t 

there, and tliere sHe would remain within call of those who were 
with her husband. She said that she hoped that the President 
would arouse, and she might then have the comfort of a last word 
with him. 

As soon as it was known that oxygen was being administered, 
all i^new that the beginning of the end had come. This bulletin 
was as follows : 

"The President's physicians report that his condition is 
grave at this hour. He is suffering from extreme prostration. 
Oxygen is being used. He responds to stimulation, but poorly." 

As the oxygen had been provided only as a last resort, every- 
body understood that its use meant that the President's hour had 
come. His condition was such that there was no hope of his 
gaining strength through the stimulant sufficient to enable him 
to combat death. After this announcement the bulletins telling 
the story of the final struggle followed each other rapidly. The 
streets in front of the bulletin boards were filled with men and 
women who watched sadly each fresh announcement of the nearer 
approach of the end. 

OLD PASTOR PRESENT. 

The Rev. C. V. Wilson, of North Tonawanda, pastor of Mr. 
McKinley's old church in Canton, was with the President and 
prayed with him. Mr. Wilson left the Milburn house shortly 
before I9 o'clock. Tears were streaming from his eyes, and he 
was almost completely overcome by grief. 

The relatives of the dying President, the members of his 
Cabinet and those personal friends who were in the house were 
taking their leave of him. After all had seen Mr. McKinley, 
the situation developed into one of mere waiting for the announce* 
ment of the President's death. 

The last offices about the bedside had been said, and the 
President had again lapsed into unconsciousness. During his 
conscious moments Mrs. McKinley was brought into the chamber, 
i^'J there was au aflecting farewell. Members of the Cabinet, 



m LAST HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT. 

one by one, saw the President for a few moments. Then the 
president softly chanted a hymn. Just before he lapsed into uncou- 
sciousnes he begged the doctors to let him die. His last audible 
words were, as already stated, were said by Dr. Mann to be, 
"Good-bye all, good-bye. It is God's way. Let His will, not 
ours, be done." 

The following intensely interesting account of the President's 
last moments is furnished by one of the faithful female nurses 
who watched over him : 

" The President occupied a bed in the north wing of the 
Milburn home, the room formerly occupied by the Milburn boys 
before entering college. It was simple in its arrangement, and 
yet attractive and handsome. Two beds of the ordinary hospital 
style were located in the room. 

SHOWED RESTLESSNESS. 

*' Previous to the relapse suffered by the President he had 
become somewhat whimsical, and had several times asked that he 
be moved to a new bed, thus accounting for the presence of the 
two beds in the room. A large eas3^-chair occupied the northeast 
comer of the room, and when Mrs. McKinley visited her husband, 
this chair was drawn alongside the bed for her comfort. 

"The President lay with the foot of his bed. westward, 
thereby preventing the sun from shining in his face. On the 
west wall there hung a large picture of Washington, a magnifi- 
cent creation by Graves, and this particularly pleased the stricken 
President. Often during liis confinement I heard him comment 
on the picture, characterizing Washington as a noble statesman, 
who was created to meet an emergency. 

" All the nurses lived within easy calling distance of the 
house, and messengers were constantly on hand prepared to rouse 
them. None of the medicines were either kept or prepared in the 
sick room. All this was done in an adjoining room which was 
fitted up temporarily for the purpose. 

" It was customary for the doctors to blend the medicines, 
but the dressings were usually prepared by Miss McKenzie, the 



LAST HOURS O*^ THE PRESIDENT. S»1 

Piiiladelphia nurse, who was summoned a few days btfore the 
President died. The corps of nurses was made up o^ Steward 
Elliott and Privates Hodgkins and VoUmeyer, of the United 
States Hospital Corps, and Misses Hunt, Mohun and Connelly, 
the corps being under the charge of Miss McKeuzie. 

" The day which brought the fatal relapse brought surprise 
to us all. In the morning we had lifted him from one bed to 
another at his request. In his new bed he seemed to rest very 
easy. He turned without causing himself pain of suffering. 
'See how I am progressing, doctor,' he said when Dr. Was- 
din came that morning, and he turned from one side to 
another without apparent effort. The doctor smiled and assured 
him that he was progressing well, but advised him to remain 
as quiet as possible. 

TIDY PERSONAL HABITS. 

" Ordinarily the President was a man of remarkably clean 
and tidy personal habits, and never was known to pass from one 
day to another without a shave. His beard grew very fast, and 
naturally, after lying in bed almost a week without shaving, his 
face was very rough. He made many comments on it the day 
that he began to grow worse, and he asked me when I thought it 
would be permissible to have a barber shave him. He even joked 
a bit about it with the doctors when they came. 

" That morning they gave him some beef juice, just a little bit 
at a time. This he relished greatly, for his had been a continuous 
fast for a week. He smacked his lips after the beef juice was 
given him and asked if he could not take more. This was denied 
him, and he was compelled to wait another twenty minutes before 
taking more. Then he took considerable. He remained quiet 
for some time, apparently satisfied. 

"About this time he had occasion to speak of the press and 
how it was treating his case. All information was denied him, 
and his queries were turned aside in some way or another. Then 
he asked for toast and coffee. This was |a serious problem and 
occasioned a consultation of the doctors. When they returned 



368 i-ASf HOURS OF THE PRESIDtriT 

with the news that he might have the toast ana coiie«; hl^ fse^ 
lighted up and he appeared to be very grateful. 

*'The toast and coffee, just a iittie of each, was given him. 
and he ate it with relish and turned on his right side and pre- 
pared to sleep. His sleep lasted for several hours, and when he 
*awoke he appeared to be greatly refreshed. From that time, 
. however, the fatigue which eventually resulted in the relapse was 
noticeable. At 3 o'clock he was very tired, but made no com- 
plaint that would indicate that the food had ill effects. 

'' Later in the afternoon he became somewhat worse, and in 
tine evening, when the usual night reaction came, he fared worse 
than ever before. Grave apprehensions were felt then, and the 
nurses, including Miss McKenzie, and the doctors, were all sum- 
moned. Then followed a series of consultations and conferences 
which continued until midnight, when he took a decided change 
for the worse. 

BRIGHT AND CHEERY. 

" It has been said that the President was in a stupor at this 
time. That is not true. The patient was as bright and cheery 
as could possibly be expected, and occasionally conversed in a 
low tone. He was somewhat tired, however, and seldom moved 
in bed. As morning approached he became worse. The bulletins 
given out from time to time during the morning hours describing 
his condition were absolutely correct. It was a gradual decline. 
Friday morning Mrs. McKinley made her usual visit to the sick 
room. The President knew he was worse, and here again his 
first thoughts were of his helpmate. It would worry her. 

" He summoned one of the doctors, Dr. Wasdin, I believe, 
and asked that the truth of his condition be kept from her. This 
was a difficult proposition, however, as Mrs. McKinley had 
watched his condition closely, and quickly detected the smallest 
and most insignificant change. Then he offered to co-operate in 
keeping the news from her. He gathered all his strength 
together, and made a herculean effort to allay any suspicions she 
might have. He succeeded admirably, and she left the rocui 



T,AST HOURS OF THE PKESIDKTrr ^({9 

ftficr ten minutes with Iter husband in the belief that he was at 
^cast Jrioiding his own. 

*' When she left he lapsed into the state which characterized 
the very early morning. He was not in a stupor, however, and 
recognized everybody. The morning was marked by frequent 
consulations and conferences, and nearly all of them were followed 
by bulletins on the President's condition. Dr. Rixey was the 
prime figure in nearly all these conferences, yet he would take 
no step without the consent of the other physicians. Late in the 
afternoon it became apparent that the President was not to last 
for long, his life was slowly ebbing away. 

Slowly, but surely, the sands in President McKinley's life 
glasss were dropping away. No person made that statement 
aboMt the house at this time, but the very atmosphere seemed to 
contain something that said plainly that the President was pass- 
ing away. About 4 o'clock his pulsation became so alarming that 
saline solution injections were resorted to. This had the effect of 
buoying up hopes for a time, just for a short time, however, and 
then he suffered a slight change for the worse again. 

NO RESPONSE TO TREATMENT. 

" At this time he was in a stupor. I went to his bedside and 
touched his lips with water, but there was no response either by 
sign or action. He appeared to be conscious and yet unconscious. 
He knew none of us. Every one considered the case hopeless, 
and knew that it was but a question of vitality ; that he must soon 
die. As the hour of 9 o'clock approached his condition became 
rapidly worse, and I have since learned that even in the house the 
report was circulated that the President was dying. 

" At this time it was deemed advisable to bring the family to 
the death chamber. They came one at a time. First came the 
members of the Cabinet singly, glanced at their dying chief and 
passed on. Tears were in the eyes of all of them. Then came 
Abner McKinley and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Baer, the latter 
a niece of the President. They remained only a minute and 
Dassed on out of the room. Then came vSenator Hanna, the dearest 



fffs LAST HOURS OF ^-HK PKESIDFNT 

friend the President ever had. He, too, was to be denied by death 
the joy of recognition. 

"Then Mrs. McKinley came — poor, brave little woman. 

" The easy chair was drawn close to the bedside, and she was 
seated there. The Presidenc's face lighted up. He recognized 
her and it seemed as if the nurses and doctors would burst into 
tears. She took his hand, the hand which in one short week had 
become emaciated and thin, and held it. 

" His face lighted up and he murmured: 'God's will, not 
ours, be done.' 

"To my knowledge these were the last words the President 
ever uttered. 

WAS LED AWAY WEEPING. 

" Mrs. McKinley remained with him for a half hour and was 
then led, weeping, from the room. The President had lapsed 
into the sleep which knows no awakening. He was wholly 
unconscious. Once, near ii o'clock, I thought I saw him move 
and try to say something, but it was not audible. At 11.15 
o'clock Mrs. McKinley came again and this time remained with 
her dying husband for an hour. She said nothing and the Presl 
dent lay like one who had passed the river of death. 

" The extremities were becoming cold and the pulse was so 
faint that it could not be recorded by the most sensitive instru- 
ments. After an hour's time Mrs. McKinley was led away to 
her room. It was the last time she would ever see her husband 
alive. For the next two hours his condition became worse, if 
such a thing were possible, and it seemed several times as if he 
must be dead. 

" Application of the instruments which record the respira- 
tion, however, showed that he was still breathing. At 2.15 o'clock 
he died. 

" Dr. Rixey thought best to wait a few minutes before giving 
out the bulletin, to make sure that the vital spark had left the 
body. He applied the apparatus and the dial remained unmoved. 
He was dead. 



T>?T ^OfTps OF THE PRF.^TpiPN"^ 55^1 

" Tke undertaker came and laid out tlie body on tlie bed on 
which it had lain for a week. The hands were folded across the 
breast, and a sheet was drawn over the face. Private Hodgins, 
of the Hospital Corps, was detailed to guard the body, and 
throughout the remainder of the night he stood at attention at 
the foot of the bed. At 5.30 o'clock he was relieved by Private 
Yoltmeyer, of the same branch of the service." 



CHAPTER XIV, 

Additional Account of President McKinley's Death — Hope 
Ending in Despair — Medical Skill Exhausted — Cause of 
the Final Relapse. 

The President's last day, wliich ended in despair, was begun 
in hope. The ills that came on Thursday afternoon, when the 
organs of digestion refused to handle the solid food that had been 
taken earlier in the day, had seemingly been overcome by mid- 
night, and when the new day came it found the President 
relieved and resting. Hope that had suddenly dropped from the 
high place which it had held, began to revive. The healing of 
the wounds had progressed favorably, general conditions were in 
the main quite satisfactory, and the immediate future of the 
case seemed to hold no threat. 

The physicians who had been in almost constant attendance 
during the night parted, and the watch in the sick room was 
reduced. Suddenly there was a failure of the heart, which, for 
several days had been manifesting signs of weakness, and the 
President sank toward unconsciousness. This was at two 
o'clock in the morning. There was an immediate application of 
restoratives, and a general call went out to the absent physicians 
and nurses. Digitalis, strychnia and saline solution were admin- 
istered to the patient, but there was no immediate response to 
treatment. 

The physicians admitted that he was desperately ill, and 
Secretary Cortelyou decided to send for the relatives and close 
friends of the President, the Vice-President and members of the 
Cabinet. Those within reach were called by telephone or mes- 
senger, and telegrams were rushed to those who had left the city. 
The first of the messages went out at 2.30 o'clock, and within 
half an hour the Milburn house began to fill again. The serious 
condition of the President and the general call sent out gave rise 
to a general feeling of alarm that was never again allayed, 

2n 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 273 

Desperate measures were resorted to iu order to stiuiulat*^ 
the heart, and the sinking spell was over by four o'clock. It wa» 
decided to continue the treatment, and the physicians laid their 
greatest hope on weathering the day. It was agreed that if the 
wounded man could be carried for twenty-four hours that his 
chances would be very favorable, for the wounds were healing 
splendidly. 

It was decided to summon Dr. W. W. Johnston, of Washing- 
ton, and Dr. E. G. Janeway, of New York, heart specialists, and 
telegrams were hurried out asking that they come at once. Before 
dawn a dozen of the relatives and friends of the President arrived 
at the Milburn house. They assembled in the drawing room, where 
they waited for tidings from the sick room above them. The 
physicians assured them that the President had a fighting chance 
for life and to the hope that in the end victory would be his, they 
clung all day. 

PROFOUND GRIEF AND HORROR. 

Hundreds of visitors came during the morning, and if the police 
had not kept the streets clear and barred entrance to Delaware 
avenue there would have been thousands. Senator Hanna, a close 
personal and political friend of the President, hurried up from 
Cleveland by special train. Other friends arrived by regular 
trains, and all through the day they came in increasing numbers. 
Their regret and sympathy were profound. The day developed 
but little encouragement for them, however. 

During the forenoon the President made a slight gain of 
strength, and held it well into the afternoon. His phj^sicians 
announced that they had again given him nourishment, and it 
was thought that possibly there was a chance for a further gain 
of strength. It was known, however, that he was in a very 
serious state, and every interest was centred in the sick room in 
the Milburn house, where the struggle was in progress. 

Suddenly, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, there was a repetition 
of the heart attack, and those in the presence of the stricken man 
knew that the end was at hand. This knowledge soon spread to 

18 McK 



gY4 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

the street, and the waiting newspaper men bulletined it to the 
world. Every one who came from the house was besought for an 
expression as to the state of the President. Bach succeeding 
report was worse than its predecessor, and the of&cial bulletins 
were absolutely without hope. 

The following account of the impending calamity is from the 
pen of a correspondent who was at the Mil burn house : " Since five , 
o'clock this afternoon President McKinley has made a brave but 
hopeless fight against death. His physicians said early in the 
day that he had a fighting chance, and the President made the 
most of it. He lay limp and nearly lifeless all day, and hardly 
conscious of the presence of physicians, who were expending all 
the resources of their profession to preserve the vital spark. All 
ordinary expedients failing, desperate means were resorted to. 
Oxj^gen was administered to keep up respiration. Powerful 
stimulants were employed to aid the action of the heart. There 
was an early response to these extreme methods, but, after a 
time, collapse came, and with it the announcement that the Presi- 
d-ent was dying. 

FAILURE OF VITAL ORGANS. 

"The President's relapse is admittedly the result of the 
failure of his digestive organs to assimilate the food which he ate 
yesterday. Important bodily functions became impaired. The 
result was loss of the previous gains that had given the doctors so 
much hope of the ultimate outcome of the gallant struggle for 
life. It became absolutely essential to relieve the President's 
distress, which was threatening and immediate. Calomel was 
resorted to. It was administered in a small dose, under the 
direction of Dr. Stockton. With it, drugs calculated to stimulate 
the heart were also administered. 

"The calomel, after hours of anxious observation on the part 
of the attending doctors, operated as they hoped, but with a 
result that was distressing to the President. He thereafter became 
weaker and more helpless. He acted as if he had undergone a 
strain that had fearfully impaired his slender store of vitality 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 27ff 

Hopr wai febatiffcned early in tlie evening, althougli tlie physi- 

cicitiB, lr«pt lip tbe fndeavots to prolong liis life. 

"The President was unconscious up to 7.20 o'clock. He then 

came tc and asked for Mrs. McKinley, wlio was waiting to be 

admitted to the. chamber. He recognized her, but a few moments 

later became unconscious. Digitalis and strj^chnine were losing 

their potency as heart stimulants, and saline solution was no 

longer efficacious. Artificial respiration was promoted with the 

aid of oxygen, and life and breath were literally being pumped 

into the President. Mrs. McKinle}^ continued with him, praying 

for the success of these experiments, but with her hopes well nigh 

exhausted. 

RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ADMITTED. 

" When the physicians decided there was no hope for the 
President, the relatives and intimate friends waiting in the draw- 
ing room below were admitted one by one to faintly grasp the 
hand of the President in a silent farewell. None of these was 
recognized by the President. Senator Hanna, whose grief won 
the respect of all, held the nerveless fingers of the President and 
looked vainly into his eyes for a sigh of recognition. 

" All this time the doctors were spending their efforts on the 
President, determined to fight the battle to the end. Dr. Charles 
McBurney, who had come post-haste to the President's bedside, 
arrived too late to be of service, and could only approve of the 
methods being used by the other physicians. Senator Depew, 
Secretary Root, Senator Fairbanks and Secretaries Wilson and 
Hitchcock called at the house through the evening, but received 
not a glimmer of hope. A little before 10 o'clock it was observed 
that the President's extremities were growing cold, while his 
pulse was fluttering and his respiration was irregular and forced. 
Reports from those leaving the house continued unfavorable. 

"When Dr. Mynter came out, at 11.30 o'clock, he said the 
end was very near, although he might live an hour. The doctors 
had practically abandoned the exhausting effort to maintain life. 
No more powerful stimulants were administered, and death was 
allowed to take its progress. But the President held on tena- 



276 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

ciously. Eacli new statement from tlie house said lie could live 

but a few minutes, but the President continued to breathe. ' He 

is alive, that is all,' was the word sent out by Secretary Cortelyou 

at midnight." 

From authoritative of&cials the following details of the final 

scenes in and about the death chamber were secured : The 

President had continued in an unconscious state since 8.30 P. M. 

Dr. Rixey remained w4th him at all times and until death came. 

The other doctors were in the room at times, and then repaired to 

the front room, where their consultations had been held. About 

2 o'clock Dr. Rixey noted the unmistakable signs of dissolution, 

and the immediate members of the family were summoned to the 

bedside. 

SILENCE AND SADNESS. 

Silently and sadly the members of the family stole into the 
room. They stood about the foot and sides of the bed where the 
great man's life was ebbing away. Those in the circle were : 

Abner McKinley, the President's brother ; Mrs. Abner 
McKinley, Miss Helen, the President's sister ; Miss Barber, a 
niece, Miss Sarah Duncan, lieutenant J. F. McKinley, a nephew ; 
William M. Duncan, a nephew ; Hon. Charles G. Dawes, the 
Comptroller of the Currency ; F. M. Osborn, a cousin ; Colonel 
Webb C. Hayes ; John Barber, a nephew ; Secretary George B. 
Cortelyou ; Colonel W. C. Brown, the business partner of Abner 
McKinley ; Dr. P. M. Rixey, the family physician, and six nurses 
and attendants. In an adjoining room sat the physicians, 
including Drs. McBurney, Wasdin, Park, Stockton and Mynter. 

It was now 2.05 o'clock, and the minutes were slipping away. 
Only the sobs of those in the circle about the President's bedside 
broke the awe-like silence. Five minutes passed, then six, seven, 
eight. 

Now Dr. Rixey bent forward, and then one of his hands was 
raised as if in warning. The fluttering heart was just going to 
rest. A moment more and Dr. Rixey straightened up, and with 
choking voice, said : " The President is dead." 

Secretary Cortelyou was the first to turn from the Strieker. 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 277 

circle. He stepped from the chamber to tlie outer hall and then 
down the stairway to the large room, where the members of the 
Cabinet, Senators and distinguished officials were assembled. As 
his tense, white face appeared at the doorway, a hush fell upon 
the assemblage. " Gentlemen, the President has passed a^vay," 
he said. 

For a moment not a word came in reply. Even though the 
end had been expected the actual announcement that William 
McKinle}^ was dead fairly stunned these men, who had been 
his closest confidants and advisers. Then a groan of anguish 
went up from the assembled oj6B.cials. They cried outright like 
children. All the pent up emotions of the last few days were 
let loose. They turned from the room and came from the house 
with streaming eyes. 

CAME AS A TERRIBLE SURPRISE. 

The city, not only in those parts near the Milburn house, 
but all over, and even out in the Exposition grounds, went into a 
state of ferment when the news of the sudden collapse of the 
President was announced. The ill news of the early day had 
been somewhat softened by the later afternoon announcement 
that there was a slight improvement, and the sudden announce- 
ment of his approaching dissolution came as a great surprise. 

Up about the corners, near the Milburn house, w^as a pic. 
turesque but rather gruesome scene, when it is remembered that 
the crowds gathered there were awaiting the President's death. 
The half dozen tents and the two big election booths made it look 
like the midway of a fair, but the ropes that were stretched from 
corner to corner, the solemn looking police guard, the pacing 
soldiers, and, above all, the quietness of the assembled multitude, 
bore witness to the solemnity of the occasion. 

The Milburn house was hardly discernible among the trees, 
the lights in the house having been dimmed ; but at a few 
minutes' intervals there would come out some person who had 
information to bear, and then the eager crowd would surround 
him. But from the time that Secretary Cortelyou told that the 



2Y8 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

President was very weak, there was nothing to encourage a belief 
that there could be a recovery. 

A further description of the solemn scene is from an eye- 
witness and is as follows : 

"Once more the muffled drums are beating for a murdered 
President. The piteous half-masted flag again hangs mournfully 
above the housetops for the man chosen of the people, who has 
been stricken down by an assassin. Men and women in the 
streets of Buffalo, in the cars and in their hotels and homes mutter 
this thing and lapse into mute wonder that it can be so. 

"Our people are not given to vociferations. As they went 
about their affairs to-day, clad in light colors — the women at least 
— one could but faintly guess the self-respecting sorrow at their 
hearts, which would seem to call for sombre black, if color can be 
emblematic of grief But the deep grief was there. A word to 
one of them brought the emotion to the surface. So I have seen 
tears well up and trickle down manly faces and brows knit closely 
and hands clutched ominously, for the President was dead. 

THE WORLD KNEW IT. 

" All the world knew it now. The world could and did share 
their sorrow, but that did not lighten the load of sorrow upon 
William McKinley's fellow citizens here. Anger was strong that 
their President had been shot down — an anger that no mere 
wreaking of venegeance on the wretched murderer could satisfy, 
but their tenderest pity, sympathy and love was for the man so 
' Rich in saving common sense, 
And, as the greatest only are, 

In his simplicity sublime.' 

" Herein it was that though the bus}^ city, shocked to the 
core, paused not in its daily round, all hearts were beating with 
the muffled drums for the murdered President, for the beloved 
man stricken, like Lincoln and like Garfield, in the rich moment 
of a nation's trust and at the pinnacle of a nation's power, and 
beating as well for the widowed woman sitting in a daze of grief 
in the room where the southern sun was sending light that 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. ^79 

brought no comfort and warmth that could master the chill upou 
him at rest in the room near by. 

"So the gray morning dawned on Buffalo. All the watchers 
were weary at the Milburn house, and most of them were sleep- 
ing, for now vigil would not avail. Like all the houses on either 
side of Delaware avenue, the house stands apart from its neigh- 
Ivors, with a strip of verdant lawn between it and the sidewalk of 
the elm and maple shaded street. There are finer houses on the 
avenue — which is the avenue of such elegance as Buffalo knows 
— a fine dignified highway, bespeaking wealth and refinement in 
its dwellers, and marking the various architectural steps in the 
succession of builders. 

HOUSE WHERE HE DIED. 

•'The Milburn house, with its ivy-clad porch, its pointed 
gables, and wings painted in sober brownish gray where the ivy 
is not clambering, would not be distinguished from a hundred 
like it ; but in this world of mystery — that is, of things happen- 
ing which we fail fully to understand — it had become perforce the 
spot most to be regarded in the world to-day, and for a day 
to come. After that the scene will shift to other places, as in the 
way of the world of change. 

" You have been told of the way the hoiise is, and has been, 
guarded since the fateful Friday at the Exposition, a mile or so 
away — the avenues and the cross streets roped off; of police- 
men guarding the ropes and soldier sentinels pacing up and 
down upon the green sward immediatel}^ surrounding the house ; 
at the rope barriers, silent, whispering groups, waiting a word 
from those within. 

" Add the coming of night to that, the lights beginning to 
show faintly in the house, and fear on the faces of all who come 
and go upon the threshold. Step by step the way the grim battle 
was going v/as known to those without — the turn for the worse of 
the night before ; the heroic measures taken to whip up the tired 
out heart of the patient. 

" It has been a day of gloom around the Milburn house. In 



280 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

dignified silence many of the great men of the country have 
entered the house of death, and in silence passed out of it. The 
tense excitement and awful suspense of the preceding twenty- 
four hours were followed to-day by a peace and quiet expressive 
of the nation's mourning. American flags were early draped on 
the front of the house, but otherwise there was no evidence of 
mourning except in the sad hearts and faces of the hundreds who 
called to pay their respects. 

" On the lawns of the Milburn house the guards paced silently 
to and fro, while policemen kept back the crowds that pressed 
thick against the ropes which a block away cut off access to the 
streets leading to the house where the body of the martyred Presi- 
dent lies. By four o'clock this morning the nerve racking ten- 
sion of those who for a day and a night had watched near the 
bedside of the dying President, awaiting the announcement that 
the end had come, gave way to calmness and resignation, and 
only a few of the newspaper men and the telegraph operators 
remained at the corner which a few hours before had been so 
thronged. While the telegraph keys clicked off the details of one 
of the saddest deaths in history the darkness slowly melted into 
dawn and another day was ushered in. 

SHOWING REMARKABLE FORTITUDE. 

"After the Milburn house became quiet at five o'clock this 
morning the first word was brought out by Miss Duncan, who 
said Mrs. McKinley was bearing up bravely. The undertakers 
were then in the house and Secretary Cortelyou was sleeping. 
Since Mr. McKinley was shot he had previously had only eight 
hours sleep. 

"Miss Helen McKinley, MissJMary Barber and Mrs. Lafay- 
ette McWilliams were the first callers. Lieutenant James' 
McKinley followed, and then Mrs. Garret A. Hobart arrived. In 
a few minutes Mrs. McWilliams came out of the house, and as she 
stepped into her carriage she said : ' Mrs. McKinley is resting 
quietly. She realized long before many others what the outcome 
might be, and during the last few days had prepared herself 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 281 

''Secretaries Wilson, Hitclicock, Root and Smith, and Attor- 
ney-General Knox arrived at half-past ten o'clock, and a few 
minutes later Senator Hanna, Senator Burrows, Colonel Herrick 
and former Judge Day came up. The Cabinet at once went into 
session in the library, and invited Senator Hanna, Colonel Herrick 
and Judge Day to join in their deliberations. 

" The scene in the vicinity of the Milburn house at midnight, 
the last midnight that William McKinley was to see for ever- 
more, was weirdly pathetic. It was intensely dark with a thin 
mist in the air, arising above the tree tops and making the 
electric lights blind and glimmer uncanny. In the tents and 
election booths devoted to the newspaper correspondents and 
telegraph operators the light shone brightly, throwing the 
shadows of the workers in sable silhouette against the gleaming 
whiteness of the tents. Under the dark foliage of the arching 
trees on Delaware avenue the gleam of a sentry's gun flashed 
now and then as the noiseless figure in blue came and went like 
a ghost." 

GRIM SENTINELS IN BLACK. 

Stretching away to the west along Ferry street, was a row 
of yellow lights from carriage lamps where automobiles stood like 
grim sentinels in black, waiting to bear the darkest tidings to 
the country that it has heard in two score years. Just within the 
confining limits of a cable that gleamed like a streak of saffron 
under the electric light, a policeman paced to and fro, pausing 
now and then to say a few words in an undertone to the groups 
of waiting, restless, whispering correspondents, who either lined 
up against the rope or else conversed in groups in the street 
rapidly disintegrating to surround the latest comer from the house 
that was covered not only by the blackness of the night but by 
the shadow of impending death. 

Absolute silence reigned within the cordon established a 
week ago by the police. At all the intersecting streets two 
squares away hundreds of people, men and women, some on 
wheels, others in carriages, hundreds on foot, stood silently 



282 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

waiting news from where the pale lights glimmered in the house ■ 
of death. Every comer from that direction was held up and ques- 
tioned by the obliging policeman, while everyone stood on tip-toe 
and listened with bated breath for the details. 

The coming and going of notables occupied the attention of 
the newspaper men, and furnished bulletins for the waiting world. 
Over in the telegraph booths some of the correspondents who had 
been on duty for forty hours almost constantly, tried to get a few 
winks of sleep in hard, uncomfortable chairs. Messenger boys 
lay prone on the floors of the booths and slept the sleep of 
exhaustion. Scattered through the crowds of correspondents 
outside were secret service men and plain clothes detectives. 
Just what they were doing no one seemed able to fathom. 

A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED. 

Thus the dreary hours dragged on till midnight and after. 
Word came that newsboj^s down town were calling extras that 
the President was dead. Then the police began moving a crowd 
of morbidly curious women and their escorts who had crowded 
around the telegraph booth. Tired messenger boys were roused 
from their sleep and sent skurrying down town with bunches of 
"specials" as fast as bicycles could go under the pressure of 
wearied legs. Some kind soul with the spirit of a Samaritan sent 
in some refreshments in liquid form to the fagged operators and 
tired correspondents. 

There was a lull for ten minutes, the telegraph instruments 
clicked out noisily with strident sounds in the chill darkness. 
Somebody who had been there began drooning a story of San- 
tiago and Schley, and the next instant, like a hurricane, a squad 
of breathless men burst into the postal booth. There was a 
murmur of "dead," a scurrying grab for copy paper, and a dozen 
hands were writing the culmination of the story. 

"Coroner Wilson has just gone into Milburns ; he was sum- 
moned at 12. lo," exclaimed someone. Then there was a break 
from the booth to where a little knot gathered at the ropes and 
under the trees. Before half the correspondents could get across 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR, 288 

the Street two figures, one that of Coroner Wilson, the other of 
Harry Hamlin, disappeared under the trees toward the house. 

"Stop it! Stop it!" came a sharp imperious voice. "Kill 
that bulletin. He is not dead. Dr. Mann says he is still alive, 
and that Janeway is conducting an examination." It was a 
Washington correspondent, of national fame and wide experience 
who uttered the words. 

A hasty investigation revealed the truth of his announce- 
ment, and then the bulletins were recalled. The President still 
lived. 

Down in the heart of the city a different scene was being 
enacted. There all was life and bustle, excitement, execration, 
anxiety ; everj^ newspaper office had a thousand men and women 
about it. Five-minute bulletins were posted as received by tele- 
phone. 

STREETS PACKED WITH PEOPLE. 

Downtown, Main street was a human hive. Crowds as great 
as any which have filled the streets in noontide packed the side- 
walks and made passing of streetcars almost impossible. Women 
were almost as numerous as men. Here again police precaution 
was evident, mounted police, the entire service, rode up and 
down, pushed over toward the pavement, and kept the roadway 
clear, and the throngs on the street moving. It was a queer 
sight this thing of mounted police in the heart of the city. 

Then above the clang of car gongs and the hoarse cries of 
fakirs already on the streets with "souvenirs" of the assassin, 
came the shrill resonant cries of the newsboj^s calling a midnight 
extra. "The death of McKinley." It was a fake to be sure, but 
it caught, and though the President was still this side of the Dark 
River the cruel enterprise of the newsmonger had him robed for 
the grave. 

Rumors were thick, every other man on the street had a 
fresh one and the latest was no worse than the first. Curious 
crowds, mostly w^omen, gathered around the telegraph offices and 
craned their necks to watch the weary operators and hurrying 
correspondents at their work. It was all unnatural, strange, 



284 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

almost incompreliensible. To this crowd on the street was added 
from time to time groups recruited from tlie arriving trains, gap- 
ing yokels with lunch for three days in a splint basket, trim | 
tourists and the cannaille of the curb. It was believed to be the 
President's death night, and all were eager, sympathetically eager, 
for the latest facts. 

Another authority, who had a full knowledge of the situa- 
tion made the following statement : 

" President McKinley never had one chance to recover from 
the assassin's bullet, according to the widespread report of the 
autopsy held this afternoon. Nature, doctors say, could not help 
along the work of the surgeons. The President died of " toxemia 
caused by necrosis of the tissues." That is another way of say- 
ing that gangrene killed him. This could not have been pre- 
vented, the doctors say, by any surgical or medical treatment. 

EVERY PROSPECT OF RECOVERY. 

" The world was permitted to believe that President McKinley 
was on the road to recovery, because some of the attending 
physicians in talking for publication consented to construe the 
President's condition as highly favorable after a considerable 
period of time had elapsed without unfavorable symptoms being 
made manifest. Professional etiquette restrains the doctors who 
talk now from naming their fellows who were responsible for this. 
All were too sanguine. 

" Some of the doctors, notably Dr. Wasdin, are inclined to 
believe that President McKinley was shot with poisoned bwllets. 
This is not proved. The only way in which it can be proved is 
by examination of the remaining bullets, and particularly of the 
bullet which struck the President in the breast. But the Presi- 
dent would have died of his wounds if the bullets were perfectly 
clean. His system did not possess the vitality to repair the dam- 
age done to his vital organs. This does not mean that the Presi- 
dent's system was in bad condition, but only that his vitality was 
low, or, in other words, that he had small recuperative powers, as 
result showed. 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 285 

"When tlie President was sliot lie received the best possible 
surgical attention at tlie earliest possible moment. The sur- 
geons exhausted all the resources of their science and skill. 
After that they had to depend upon nature coming to their assist- 
ance and nature failed them. The complications which followed the 
mending of the President's wounds were, the doctors confess, fully 
beyond their ken. The gangrenous affection did not manifest 
itself in any way that could be detected by them. It brought about 
those conditions of the heart and of the intestines which, during 
the last two days, showed to the physicians that something was 
wrong, but what it was they never knew to a certainty until they 
made the autopsy to-day. 

THE BULLET A MYSTERY. 

"Lodgment of the second bullet in the abdominal wall back 
of the stomach had nothing to do with the President's death. It 
did all of its damage in the abdominal cavity. That bullet 
remains a mystery. It was not located during the President's 
life, and two hours of careful search for it after death failed to find 
it. The fact that this bullet remained in the President's body 
without setting up any disorder where it stopped, militates against 
the theor}^ that it might have been poisoned. 

"The fatal bullet did more damage to the President's vital 
organs than even they knew until to-day. They have assumed 
that when they had repaired the wounds of the stomach they had 
attended to all that was necessary. Damage to the suprarenal 
capsule and the left kidney was never discovered by them during 
the operation which was expected to save the President's life. 
Why this was so has not yet been explained. 

"The autopsy shows that the bullet passed through the 
stomach near its lower quarter and then entered the muscles of 
the backbone behind the kidneys and aorta. From that spot 
surgical skill would have been utterly powerless to extract it 
if it had been discovered. On its way the bullet tore away the 
suprarenal capsule and pierced the left kidney, destroying the 
upper part of that organ. 



2g(i HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR, 

" When tlie gangrene wliicli developed also affected tlie pan- 
creas, this set free poisons wliicli entered tlie blood and affected 
the heart, and so, in the end, produced death. The absorption of 
these poisons was what caused the weakness and exhaustion of the 
President. The cathartics administered Wednesday and Thurs- 
daj^ may have caused further weakness, but death would have 
been inevitable withoutthem. The wounded kidney of itself was not 
a serious matter, according to Dr. Mann. He says the injury to that 
organ might have developed in abscess, but that it was not neces- 
sarily a part of the fatal conditions. The gangrene which 
developed in the stomach wounds primarily and was communi- 
cated to the pancreas, which supplies food to the stomach, was the 
basic cause of death. 

THE FIRST SHOT. 

"The doctors commenced work on the autopsy about noon, as 
soon as Coroner Wilson had officially viewed the President's body, 
and had given them permission. They found that the first bullet 
fired at President McKinley by the assassin did not pass through 
the skin. It probably struck a button on his shirt or vest and 
was deflected. After the cause of death had been determined the 
doctors searched for the second, or fatal, bullet. They looked for 
two hours, Dr. Mann says, and finally gave it up. A suggestion 
was made that the X-ray apparatus be used to obtain a skiagraph 
of the wounded region, but it was not done. 

" After the autopsy the following of&cial report, written by 
Dr. Mann, the surgeon who performed the operation in laparotomy 
on the President's stomach, was issued after being signed by all 
of the consulting staff except Dr. McBurney. Eight other physi- 
cians also signed. The report follows : — s 

" ' The bullet which struck over the breast bone did not pass 
through the skin, and did little harm. 

'' 'The other bullet passed through both walls of the stomach 
near its lower border. Both holes were found to be perfectly closed 
by the stitches, but the tissue around each hole had become gan- 
R-renous. After passing through, the stomach the bullet passed 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 287 

into the back walls of tlie abdomen, hitting and tearing the npper 
end of the kidney. This portion of the bnllet track was also 
gangrenous, the gangrene involving the pancreas. The bullet has 
not been found. 

" 'There was no sign of peritonitis or disease of other organs. 
The heart walls were very thin, and there was no evidence of any 
attempt at repair on the part of nature, and death resulted from 
the gangrene, which affected the stomach around the bullet 
wounds as well as the tissues around the further course of the 
bullet. Death was unavoidable by any surgical or medical treat- 
ment, and was the direct result of the bullet wound. 

" '(vSigned) Harvey D. Gaylord, M. D.; Herman G. Matzinger, 
M. D.; P. M. Rixey, M. D.; Matthew D. Mann, M. D.; Herman 
Mynter, M. D.; Roswell Park, M. D.; Eugene Wasdin, M. D.; 
Charles G. Stockton, M. D.; Edward G. Janeway, M. D.; W. W. 
Johnson, M. D.; W. P. Kendall, U. S. A.; Charles Gary, M. D.; 
Edward L. Munson, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and Hermanns 
E. Baer, M. D.' 

CONCLAVE OF DOCTORS. 

" Drs. Rixey, Mann, M3'nter, Park and Wasdin were the 
attendiuQf surgeons. Dr. Stockton was added to the staff Thurs- 
da}^ night. Drs. Janeway and Johnson were the heart specialists 
sent for on Friday. Dr. Baer is Abner McKinley's son-in-law. 
The others were Buffalo practitioners of note, who were merely 
called in to assist at the autopsy." 

Dr. Roswell Park, speaking of the probable direct cause of 
the President's death, said : " Apparently the bullet after passing 
through the stomach penetrated to the pancreatic gland, though 
we were not able to discover this fact while the President lived. 
The ball cut a small grove through an edge of the left kidney 
and then reached the pancreas, afterward imbedding itself some- 
where in the muscles or tissues of the back. There was nothing 
to indicate that the pancreas had been struck by the bullet in the 
examinations that were made at the time of the first opera- 
tion „ 



288 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

"After tlie wound and incision made by tlie operating 
surgeons had been closed, it seems that tbe pancreas fluid escaped 
steadily into the system. Of course, there was no way for us to 
know this, or we should have discovered some trace of the fact. 
We could not cut through to where the ball had embedded itself 
and trace its course backward from there. The pancreas fluid, 
which properly aids in the assimilation of starchy stuffs, flowed 
constantly from the wound and was absorbed by the tissues. It 
reached the veins, and through them the heart. It likewise 
provoked gangrene of the tissues. No, the use of the X-ray 
would not have aided in the discovery of this trouble." 

" Did the possibility of the pancreas having been entered by 
the bullet ever enter into the calculation of the surgeons when 
they were in consultation ? " 

NO WAY TO FIND OUT. 

"Not until the President took the turn for the worse, after 
he had taken the solid food Thursday. Then it was only 
discussed in a negative fashion, not regarded as among the 
possibilities. In any event, there was no method by which we 
could have discovered the fact. The President realized that 
there was no hope for his recovery at least forty-eight hours 
before he passed away. He was never told by those at his side 
that they knew he could not live. The X-ray was brought to 
the house only with the idea of having it near and in readiness 
should the occasion arise for its use. We did not find that it 
could help us at any time." 

Dr. Park did not explain how President McKinley knew that 
he was beyond recovery at a time when the physicians were 
sending out favorable bulletins and all but announcing that he 
was out of danger. 

Dr Mynter, who was in attendance upon the President almost 
from the moment he was struck down, said : " The assassin's 
bullet, from what our examinations demonstrated, passed first 
through the abdomen, then through the front and back of the 
Stomach. From there it tore through the mesentery of the colon 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 280 

transversum, uotclied off a corner of the left kidney and passed 
through the rear wall of the peritoneum. After that it dis- 
appeared in the muscles of the back, and we could get no trace 
of its resting place. It would not have been possible to cut in 
and reach it. 

"I have treated hundreds of gunshot wounds in my experi- 
ence as a surgeon, but never before have I found that conditions 
ileveloped such as have come up in this case. From the point of 
entrance of the ball to where it disappeared there had developed a 
gangrenous course. There was no peritonitis. 

"You ask me if the bullet was poisoned? I must tell you 
that I do not know. I have never come in contact with an instance 
of a bullet being poisoned, but there is this gangrenous course, 
such as neither I nor any of the other surgeons attending the 
President had ever encountered. I cannot account for it. 

THERE WAS NO HOPE. 

"The President's stomach was amply capable of retaining 
what food was given to him, but the gangrenous spots in the wall 
of the organ were working the mischief. Had he survived the 
night, I am satisfied that to-day would have found these mortified 
portions falling away, dropping the contents of fhe stomach iutc 
the abdomen, and then death would have ensued quickly. 

" Most assuredly the solids given him worked not one whit of 
harm. We only permitted him to have a few nibbles of toast, 
that he might chew on them and remove the secretions from his 
tongue. It was absolutely necessary and worked no injury. 
The coffee was beneficial, what little he had of it. I give coffee as 
a stimulant where people suffer from heart trouble." 

Dr. Matthew D. Mann, the surgeon who performed the opera- 
tion on President McKinley immediately after the shooting, and 
who was principally in charge of the case during the President's 
prostration, said that the autopsy showed two unquestionable facts: 

First, that the President never had the slightest chance to 
recover; and 

vSecond, that the surgical steps taken immediately after lie 

19McK 



2S0 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR, 

was sliot were what might have saved his life under favorable 
conditions. 

Dr. Mann said that the President's hurt was one that under 
nearly any circumstances would be fatal. In the case of a young 
man in perfect health and vigor the same prompt surgical atten- 
tion after the same injuries might save life. 

"The evidence we find after the autopsy," said Dr. Mann, 
•'is to this effect. Bven the first impulse toward recovery never 
existed in the President's case. The bullet wound showed abso- 
lutely no intention to heal. Nature did absolutely nothing to 
mend the damage. The bullet punctures in the stomach were 
held together by the sutures, preventing the escape of foreign 
matter into the abdominal cavity, but the tissues had shown no 
disposition X.KJ unite. The President's death was due to the poison 
developed by the gangreneous condition of the bullet wound. 
The poison was absorbed into the system, and killed just as 
surely as would poison taken by the mouth. 

FAVORABLE SYMPTOMS. 

" There was no high inflammation. The constant low temper- 
ature, of course, demonstrates that, and there was no evidence of 
peritonitis or septicemia. I can only say that the President was 
in a low condition, and repair by nature consequently did not 
follow his injury. 

" I do not mean by that that the President was not physically 
strong. The condition I define is different from physical weak, 
pess. His vitality was low ; he had no recuperative powers. It 
was found that his heart was rather thin. I mean by that that 
like any other muscle of the body which is not kept at a proper 
development by exercise, it lacked strength." 

I asked Dr. Mann if it is true that the President died simply 
from heart failure. 

"No," said he, "that was not the cause of death. As I said 
a few minutes ago, the cause of death is absolutely plain. It was 
gangreneous poison. Many a man has a heart like President 
McKinley. Any man who leads a sedentary life gets short of 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 291 

wind. That is due to tlie fact that his heart, uot being sufficiently 
exercised, is more or less thin." 

"How is it," was asked, "that the bullet was not found iu 
the autopsy? " 

"The only answer to that question is that the bullet was not 
discoverable. In three hours' search it could not be found. I 
think that fact is sufficient reply to any possible critcism which 
may have been offered concerning the failure of the surgeons to 
search for the bullet during the first operation. At the autops}^ 
with the abdomen open and the breastbone removed, it was 
impossible to find the bullet. How futile, therefore, would have 
been the effort to find it when the President was living? " 

The following lines are expressive of the tender sympathy 

felt for Airs. McKinley : 

DEAR HEART AND TRUE. 

Dear Heart, who mourning has the grief 

Of this wide world to soothe her own ! 

For but to hear the name of the beloved 

Breathed by some other voice full tenderly 

Hath kept full many a heart from breaking quite ; 

And thus, so she ; to her the silence kept inviolate, 

Or broken but by harmony of sacred song, 

Or slow, sweet, music of the vibrant bells 

That girt the earth with sound ; 

Sure this must soothe, uplift, inspire, 

To wait — to wait another day — 

A day when all her days of sorrow 

Soothed by his dear love ; 

When all her days of sorrow sweetened by such memories, 

Are done. And then — ^The Silence, Silence ! 

Then, The Wakening, The Life ! 

So, fuller, richer, grander, by the depths of this, 

So, satisfying and eterne ! 

So, borne above her loss by myriads ; 

So, wrapt in incense of their prayers ; 

So, thought on by all women and all men, 

She still may live — live on, 

Dear Heart and True ! 

A very appreciative notice of President McKinley appeared 
la the ''Atlanta Constitution," and was only one of hundreds of 



292 HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. 

similar expressions of grief tlirougliout tlie Soutli. Nowtere was 
Mr. KcKiuley better loved or more sincerely mourned. 

ALL IS OVER. 

'* Witli the final ceremonies of state, rendered in tlie federal 
capitol building yesterday, the nation has taken leave of the late 
president. 

"Toda}-, in Canton, he belongs to his family. Tomorrow, in 
his grave, he will belong to eternity. 

"The assassin's work was a shock to the nation. In the 
desperation of the hour of affliction the public heart was hardened 
and called for vengeance. By the catafalque upon which the body 
of the victim laid so reposefully, we almost caught the smile of 
life — the victim, the offering upon the altar of country, was 
surrounded by estranged hearts made one. Let no rude voice 
ever presume to disturb this holy consecration to country ! 

" Upon the firing line of organized society Mr. McKinley had 
stood. The society that had fought its battle for recognition 
through the darkness of patriarchalism ; that had found some 
consideration in feudalism ; that had been rudely pressed back 
by absolutism, found its resting place upon a new continent, and 
its exemplars stood in an honored line, at one end of which was 
George Washington — at the other, William McKinley 1 But 
though society had fought this battle against power, it has not 
yet won in the struggle against ignorance and vice. Vice, malig- 
nant, did its work in Buffalo, but society has shown itself strong 
enough to rally and stand upon its feet. McKinley has fallen 
upon the firing line of progress ; his body has been borne away 
from the trench to receive the honors due the soldier dead at the 
post of duty. 

The President found a mighty nation when he was called 
into of&ce. Washington had established its independence. 
Jefferson had outlined its civic purpose. Monroe had warned 
the world of its growing importance. Lincoln had held it 
together against an inherited struggle. 

McKinley found the nation strong and rich, but torn by seeds 



HOPE ENDING IN DESPAIR. $«« 

of dissension. Witli a courtesy chivalry had never approached; 
with a kindliness so apparent that it allowed of no doubt, he 
touched the sensitive point, and pronounced the words that 
restored the unity of purpose that had marked the Continentals 
when they fought and starved together in 1776. 

This is the man whose body has lain in the nation's Capitol, 
and from whom we have taken leave. Magnanimous, kind- 
hearted, patriotic, he has been borne away, and the nation, weep- 
ing over a fallen leader, feels the stronger for the work he has 
done. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Obsequies of Our Martyred President— Extraordinary 
Demonstrations of Public Sorrow — Body Lying in 
State at Buffalo— Immense Throngs of People Passing 
the Bier— Short and Simple Funeral Services. 

TT had rained fitfully tlirougli the night, but as the morning 
^ advanced a genial sun dispelled the heavy clouds. The 
morning to which Buffalo awoke was balmy, and seemed to have 
done with its sorrow. But the people had not ; they had learned 
that services for the dead President would be held at the Milburn 
house, and that later the body of the murdered President would 
lie in State at the City Hall. 

By general consent they resolved to av/ait the latter oppor= 
tunity of looking upon his face in death which a short nine days 
before they had seen in ruddy life. The streets were astir early, 
but the movement was that of a people sorely oppressed with 
grief, and the gentle sunlight did but give it a silver lining. At 
the roped barriers drawn around the City Hall they gathered and 
waited patiently. Down the abutting streets they stretched out, 
two abreast, for half a mile in two directions, silent or talking in 
low tones, most of them wearing white badges with "We mourn 
our loss" and the late President's portrait in black. As for a 
brother, a father, were they mourning, without the smallest tinge 
of affectation. 

Along the main streets mourning insignia of black, black 
and white and purple had been placed. The displays v/ere many, 
but scarcely one was worthy of particular note. A broad crape 
streamer dependent from a half draped flag was the most effective 
emblem seen. The washed out flags put up in joy over the 
Exposition were too many for the little mourning material used, 
but the tender respect was there all the same. 

As it was Sunday, the commercial false note common to such 

294 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 295 

occasions was uot lieard. The street fakirs who on Saturday had 
hidden their Pan-American souvenirs and had substituted for 
them stocks of funeral emblems, were out of sight. Nothing 
marred the dignity, the decorum of the day. The police had 
little to do in managing the crowds. A word was silently obeyed. 
Democrac}^ was preaching a powerful sermon, and all that, 
happened until nightfall bore it out. All was for ordered liberty 
among equals before the law. The thrill of emotion made it as 
human and living as it well could be. 

The new President, bodily tired and mentally worn out, had 
slept well in the pillared house on the avenue. There was no 
waking, alas, for him whom the new one had succeeded. At the 
Milburn cottage, where lay the remains of William McKinley, 
the sunshine was fitfully busy, making arabesques of shadows on 
the lawn, over which the sentries still were pacing. At the 
distant barriers of rope there was no great crowd. 

ON THE WATCH FOR ASSASSI^7S. 

There was close scrutiny of all who wished to pass. This 
was so not merely because of the desire to limit the number near 
the house of death, but also because of the dread that in some 
friendly guise another murderer would pass, and this is the curse 
of crime. Like the enemy in the night, it scatters tares of dis- 
trust between man and man where the wheat of loving confidence 
should grow. The uniformed police were watchful and not a 
little feverishly nervous, and secret service men swarmed at every 
elbowo 

In the cottage the simple preparations had been made for the 
service. Perhaps in holding the services at the cottage simplicity 
had been over strained. The smallest church will hold more 
people than the parlor of the largest cottage. Great care had 
been taken in limiting the invitations, but even nearly half of 
those who came could not enter and remain. Doubtless other and 
more delicate considerations ruled in making the order of things 
what it was. 

By half-past ten a goodly number had arrived. In tali silk 



296 OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

hats, black coats and black gloves they stood in groups upon the 
lawn and waited. Some came on foot, but most in carriages, the 
ropes being lowered and raised as the carriages went past. Hard 
on eleven the hearse with its four high stepping, coal black Flem- 
ish horses, its fringed black hammercloth and silver-plated 
carriage lamps, drove up — a simple equipage enough, such as any 
well to do private family might engage. Why not a catafalque 
for the nation's dead? Again a nice discretion ruled, a deference 
to the well known law of the simple ways of life and death 
that marked William McKinley. 

Anon the rhythmic tramp of many feet is heard, and the 
armed escort is marching by. Barely two hundred men they 
seem, and chosen from all the arms of the service. Sailors in 
their brown-legginged short dress, marines with a touch of red on 
their blue uniform, a company of regulars, a couple of companies 
from the National Guard, a handful from the Hospital Corps — 

that was all. 

THE CABINET IN ATTENDANCE. 

Members of the Cabinet began to appear. Postmaster-Gen- 
eral Smith and Secretary Wilson, the latter the more venerable 
looking, with his gray beard, entered the house. Governor Odell, 
very erect, waited on the lawn. General "Dan" Sickles, in a 
Grand Army hat, hobbled out of his carriage on his crutches. He 
was coming to see another old soldier of the civil war — another 
comrade — laid to rest. 

Secretary Root, very careworn, came on foot with some 
ladies. Senator Hanna, the gravity of a great loss brooding over 
him and making him forgetful at moments of what was said and 
done about him, stood apart. Secretary Long, who is proverbially 
forgetful of the small things of life, came in a straw hat ; but 
the hat was so. much in his hand, and his strong, earnest face 
was so seamed with grief, that the unconventional headgear was 
noticed by few. 

Six members of the Cabinet were on the lawn or in the house 
when, at a minute or two before eleven. President Roosevelt 
stepped out of his plain carriage. He was dressed in tasteful 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 297 

black, and raised liis tall hat in salute many times as lie walked 
througli tlie crowd on the lawn, now lined up wnth a passage 
iDetween. The sun was still shifting from glow to shadow as the 
lines on the lawn followed the President into the house. 

Entering beneath ivied porch and turning to the right in the 
wide hall, one was at once in the room where all that was not im- 
mortal of Prcoident McKinley lay. No attempt had been made 
to alter this parlor and library into a mortuary chamber. So the 
black shadow did not fall so heavily across one ou entering. 
Another step, and the coffin on its trestle was before one. 

THE HISTORIC ROOM. 

It IS a large, oblong room, and book shelves line it in places. 
It has two windows that let light in through thin white curtains. 
A large photograph of the mutilated winged victory caught much 
of this light, and seemed painfully emblematic of what was doing 
there, standing out as it did from the wall paper, which showed 
great bunches of red flowers on a white ground. The upper part 
of the coffin cover had been removed, and a national flag draped 
about the lower part, on which rested wreaths of white asters, 
yellow roses and a large one of purple asters. Other wreaths 
there were around the trestles. 

As the mourners entered they passed up to the window^s and 
down on the left side of the coffin, gazing on the dead face with 
his own tide of emotion within his breast. Some lingered and 
gazed, and many tears fell, but not a word was spoken, save a 
whispered one to those who wished to pass out rather than bear 
the oppressive moments that were to follow. 

I The dead President's head rested on a pillow of tufted white 
satin ; his left hand lay across his breast. They had dressed him 
in black, a black tie, a white stand-up collar. In the lapel of his 
coat was a bronze Grand Army button, sole ornament, sole emblem 
of what he had been— a lover of his country, faithful unto death. 
The features were somewhat shrunk and drawn with suffering, 
and the skin was yellowish ; but the sacrament of a great peace 
was upon his closed eyelids, and the bony modeling of chin and 



■298 OBSEQUIES OP' OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT, 

forehead and the clear line of the silent lips showed that his typo 
was noble, and that the heart which refused to beat longer was 
true while it could pulsate. 

Opposite the house on the other side of the avenue the band 
of the Sixty-fifth was stationed, and, as the coffin was borne on 
the shoulders of eight corporals, one from each branch of the 
united services, came down the patu a long roll came from th^ 
muffled drums, and then the President's favorite hymn was played 
as the cof&n was placed in the hearse. The following are the 
words of the hymn : 

I. — Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ; 
E'en though it be a Cross 

That raiseth me ; 
Still all my sotig shall be, 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 

II. — -Though like tlie wanderer, 

The sun gone down. 
Darkness be over me, 

My rest a stone, 
Yet in my dreams I'd be, 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Hi. —There let the way appear 

Steps unto heaven ; 
All that Thou sendest me 

In mercy given ; 
Angels to beckon me 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee ! 

IV. — Or if on joyful wing, 

Cleaving the sky. 
Sun, moon and stars forgot:, 

Upward I lly — 
Still all my song shall be, 

Nearer, my God, to TheCj, 
Nearer tc Thee 1 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 299 

President Roosevelt and the Cabinet followed tlie coffin and 
entered the first two carriages. Governor Odell and Senator Hanna 
rode together, the latter's broad face still wet. So they followed, 
foreign diplomats with stolid faces. Senators and officials and 
former officials. The son of former President Harrison was about. 
Former Attorney General Bissell, a relic of Cleveland's time, and 
so like Mr. Cleveland, passed from the house on foot. 

The military escort deployed from column of four to column 
of platoons, and, led by the band, to the tap of a single drum, 
passed slowly down the avenue, the regulars carrying a furled 
flag, with a draping of crepe. On each side of the hearse was 9 
guard of honor of eight sailors from the Michigan. The people 
below the barriers awaited the passing of the funeral cortege in 
respectful sympathetic silence, and so saw it pass slowly by in 
solemn dignit}^ 

CROWDS AROUND THE CITY HALL. 

Down about the City Hall, a handsome pile of granite in the 
heart of Buffalo, two miles awa}-, the crowd had become enor, 
mous, but Chief Bull has learned to handle crowds, and there was 
no pushing, no confusion. Such of us as did not go with the 
funeral procession went at once to the City Hall, where the pre- 
parations for a public view of the dead President had been admi- 
rably made, and, as it proved, strictly carried out. Scarcely, 
however, had we entered the hall than a torrential downpour of 
rain began. The procession was still nearly a quarter of a mile 
away, the strains of Chopin's funeral march coming faintly to 
our ears. Every man not in a closed carriage must have been 
soaked through and through. 

On the spacious main floor of the City Hall, which is reached 
by a flight of stone steps, the walls were hung in black and the 
large recesses on either side tastefully banked with palms and 
palmettos. Near the center of the hall, at a point midway between 
four lighted six branch chandeliers, was the slightly inclined 
platform for the coffin Up the steps it was borne by its eight 
bearers, who turned deftly — Vr - y carry the dead, feet foremost — and 



so© OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT, 

lowered their precious burden gently into its place, • the lid was 

removed, some adjustments made, and then the lower part of the 

lid replaced, while President Roosevelt and the chief mourners 

stood on either side. When all was in place, the President and 

Cabinet, again looking on the body within, passed out of the rear 

of the hall to their carriages. 

The rain was falling at intervals, but it could not keep the 

crowd of citizens away. It was the hour of the people, and a 

little rain could not keep them back. On, in moist garments, 

they came, two by two, in two streams, looked sharply down at 

the form in the cof&n and were hurried along and out. Hour 

after hour the living stream continued. At each side of the coffin 

and at each end stood a man on guard. A sailor with dravv^n cutlas, 

an officer with drawn sword, a marine and a regular with fixed 

bayonets. There was no time for incidents beyond hurrying the 

few, inconsiderate of those behind, who wished to linger because 

they loved and pitied. But all was done gently, and the tide was 

kept flowing. 

INDIANS AS MOURNERS. 

It was toward four o'clock that the most picturesque visit was 
made. One hundred and fifty Indians, chiefs, braves, squaws, and 
pappooses from the Exposition, dressed in their many colored 
blankets, with painted faces, entered the hall. A great wreath of 
asters had preceded them, bearing an inscription to the Great 
White Chief. As they came into the hall in a great group they 
looked wildly about them, but the hush of it all, the solemnity, 
the casket under the lights, the statue like figures of the guard, 
had an awesome effect upon them, and they fell into a line of 
two abreast at a word from their white leader, and so passed up to 
where the coffin lay. As each Indian chief or brave came up he 
halted, drew a white aster from the folds of his blanket and gently 
placed it on the coffin. Then with some muttered word passed on. 

Long had they wished to see the Great White Father ; that 
wish was the final lure that drew many of them to the Exposition. 
Day after da}^ they had come to their white leader. " When will 
the Great Father come ? " He came they saw him, and then they 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 301 

lieard lie was sliot. Great was their anger, great tlieir desire to 
see vengeance wreaked npon tlie murderer. They would hunt 
him. He was caught, they were told. If the President died the 
murderer would be put to death. Oh, no ; that was not their 
idea. Give him to them and let them give him the terrible 
Apache formula. 

The Sioux, the Arapahoes could torture him with many 
varieties of pain, but to kill him quick, like that, clapping their 
hands, Oh, infamous. Do you love your great chief that you 
kill the treacherous murderer in a flash ? Long after the Indians 
had passed the grave white people continued to come and go. A 
river of love and compassion, and as night was falling and the 
stars were coming out in the clear vault of the deep blue sky the 
line still was moving without apparent end. 

RED MEN'S FAREWELL TO THE GREAT CHIEF. 

The following touching inscription accompanied a wreath oi 
purple asters, the tribute of the Indians at the Pan-American 
Exposition : 

"Farewell of Chief Geronimo, Blue Horse, Flat Iron and 
Red Shirt and the 700 braves of the Indian Congress. Like 
Lincoln and Garfield, President McKinley never abused authority 
except on the side of mercy. The martyred great White Chief 
will stand in memory next to the Saviour of mankind ; we loved 
him living ; we love him still." 

Another account of the simple services at the house contains 
the following particulars : By the head of the coffin on its 
right stood President Roosevelt, upright as at attention, his hat 
held to his breast, his eyes fixed on the face of the dead. Secre- 
tary Root and the other members of the Cabinet were in line with 
him, and below these was Governor Odell and behind him 
Senator Hanna. The room was now uncomfortably full. The 
hall was full and across the dining room was full. Many passed 
out and stood bareheaded on the lawn, for now the services were 

beginning. 

Unseen of all below and on the floor above the widow of tM 



302 OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT, 

dead remained with Mrs. and Miss Barber by ber, and Dr. Rixey 
caring for her. She said little one heard, only begging that if 
her dead were to be taken away for the people to see that he be 
brought back to the house again, that she might watch with him 
till morning — and all this with little or no outward sign of grief, 
for she sees but dimly through the veil. Those who are without 
and within think of her. 

Magnificently impressive, by reason of their simplicity, were 
the seiA'ices at Buffalo over all that remained of William McKinley 
save the memory that will linger in the hearts of the American 
people, whom he loved and who loved and trusted him. The 
grandeur and pomp that ofttimes lift, at the last, men of mean 
attainments to a pinnacle of suppositious greatness were not 
present. They would have been so far out of place as to be a 
shock to the sorrowing hearts that gathered at the Milburn cottage 
in Delaware avenue at eleven o'clock. 

EXTREMELY SIMPLE CEREMONIES. 

Could President McKinley have directed the ceremonies him- 
self, those who knew him best are united in the belief that he 
would have changed none of the details. It was a simple cere- 
mony. Except for the presence of many of the most distinguished 
men in the nation, the services in the house might have been the 
last words said over any one of a hundred thousand men, so far as 
one unacquainted with the facts could have observed. 

Barely two hundred people were admitted to the house, and 
those only by special invitation. Except for the newspaper men, 
the military escort, and the guard of police there were few people 
within a block of the cottage while the services were in progress. 

During the morning the casket was taken down stairs and 
was placed in the large library at the front of the house, just off 
the hall. It rested between the two front windows, with the head 
toward the street and about two feet from a large pier glass. The 
upper half of the casket was open, and on the lower half rested a 
large wreath of purple violets, red roses and white chrysanthe- 
mums. Two other wreaths of red roses and white chrysantl»e. 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. S03 

mums rested on a marble shelf at the base of the mirror. The 
carpet itself was draped with a large American flag. 

Shortly after lo o'clock those invited to the ceremony began 
to arrive. At first the}^ came singly or in small parties, and there 
was considerable intervals between the arrivals of the carriages, 
but as the hour for the service drew nearer, carriages drove up 
in rapid succession. Until just before eleven o'clock very few 
entered the house, preferring to remain on the lawn, where they, 
for the most part, stood in silent groups, awed by the sad mission 
on which they had come. Most of them, however, had gone in 
when, at three minutes of eleven, President Roosevelt drove up 
in a carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Ansley Wilcox. He shook hands 
in silence with several members of the Cabinet, who met him at the 
carriage, and then slowly walked to the piazza and into the house. 

MILITARY AND NAVAL ESCORT. 

Meanwhile, a compau}^ of regulars of the Fourteenth Regi- 
ment, from Fort Porter; a detail of marines from Camp Haywood, 
at the Pan-American Exposition; a company of marines from the 
steamship "Michigan," and a company each from the Sixty -fifth 
and Seventy-fourth Regiments, of the National Guard of New 
York, had drawn up in Delaware avenue, and, stretched out in a 
long line, facing the house, stood at rest. 

At each door and window in the room in which lay the casket 
a regular or marine had been posted. At one of the front win- 
dows stood a soldier and at the other a sailor. At the door leading 
into the hall stood a marine and a regular ; at the door leading 
into the dining-room at the rear a marine was posted, and a 
sergeant stood at the door leading into a smaller library on the 
north side of the house. 

In this small library were most of the members of the . 
McKinley family and a few of their closest friends. Mrs. 
McKinley, the chief suiferer of all, did not come down stairs 
during the services. \Vith Mrs, Barber, Miss Barber, Mrs. 
Hobart and Dr. Rixey, she sat at the head of the stairs leading 
'-VLto the main halk All the doors were open, and she coiild hear 



804 OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

every word of tlie minister's earnest prayer, and tlie sweet strains 
of the choir readied her in her seclusion as they sang the Presi- 
dent's favorite hymns. 

Not once did she break down, but sat through it all silent 
and possessed. It seemed as if her great grief had exhausted 
her power for suffering. With a handkerchief at her eyes, she 
buried her suffering in her broken heart as she sat there, hardly 
stirring, until just before the casket was carried out. Then she 
was gently raised from her chair and led away to her own room. 

It was a quarter before eleven o'clock when the people who 
had been waiting on the lav/n entered the house and in single file 
passed into the room where the casket lay. Casting a last look 
on the features of the President, most of them returned to the 
main hall, but enough remained to fill every available spot in the 
library. Senator Hanna was the first man of national prominence 
to enter the room. He was followed by the Cabinet members, 
who took seats on chairs that had been reserved for them to the 
left of the casket, while the Senator sat down beside Governor 
Odell on the right side of the room. 

COMPANY ROSE IN HIS HONOR. 

President Roosevelt entered the library from the small room 
where the members of the family sat at one minute before 1 1 
o'clock. As he came in every one rose. Gravely he walked past 
the line of the Cabinet members to the head of the casket. For 
a moment he gazed on the face of McKinley. His eyes were 
suffused with tears and his mouth twitched, but with a superb 
effort he mastered his emotions, and during the remainder of the 
service his face was set and grim. 

Turning, Mr. Roosevelt spoke in a low voice to Secretary 
Long, who stood next to him. He evidently requested that Cabi- 
net precedence be observed, for Secretary Root took Secretary 
Long's place in the line. Back of Mr. Root stood Postmaster- 
General Smith, and then, in order, Secretary Long, Attorney 
General Knox, Secretary Hitchcock and Secretary Wilson. 

At this moment the Rev. Dr. Charles Edward Locke, of ths 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 305 

Delware Avenue Metliodist Episcopal Cliiirch, son of that Dr. 
Ivocke who for many years was the McKinley pastor at Canton, 
entered the room through the double doors connecting with the 
dining room. 

He went to the door leading into the outer hall so that his 
words might be audible to Mrs. McKinley, who sat at the head 
of the stairs leading up from the hall, and there took his stand. 
The quartet from the First Presb3^terian Church had been sta- 
tioued in the dining room, and with the sweet strains of " Lead, 
Kindly Light," the services were begun. Eyes that before had 
been dry and hard filled with tears as this verse was sung with 
exquisite feeling and pathos. 

DIVINE AID EARNESTLY SOUGHT. 

Dr. Locke raised his bands as the music died away. For a 
moment there was intense silence, then in prayer, his words 
uttered so that they reached the ears of the woman sorrowing for 
her dead, he made this eloquent appeal : — 

" ' O God, our help in ages past. 

Our hope for years to come, 
Our shelter from the stormy blast. 

And our eternal home.' 

^' We, Thy servants, humbly beseech Thee for manifestations 
of Thy favor as we come into Thy presence. We laud and mag- 
nify Thy holy name and praise Thee for all Thy goodness. Be 
merciful unto us and bless us as, stricken with overwhelming 
sorrow, we come unto Thee. Forgive us for our doubts and fears 
and faltering faith ; pardon all our sins and shortcomings, and 
help us to say, * Thy will be done.' In this night of grief abide 
with us till the dawning. Speak to our troubled souls, O, God, 
and give to us in this hour of unutterable grief the peace and quiet 
which Thy presence only can afford. We thank Thee that Thow 
answerest the sobbing sigh of the heart, and dost assure us that 
if a man die he shall live again. 

'* We praise Thee for Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Saviotir atid 

20 McK 



306 OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

Elder Brother, fhat He came ' to bring life and immortality to 
lisfht ' and because He lives we shall live also. We thank Thee 
that death is victory, that 'to die is gain.' Have mercy upon us 
in this dispensation of Thy Providence. We believe in Thee — we 
trust Thee — our God of Love, *the same yesterday, to-day and 
brever'. 

''We thank Thee for the unsullied life of Thy servant, our 

, martyred President, whom Thou hast taken to his coronation, 

and we pray for the final triumph of all the divine principles of 

pure character and free government for which he stood while he 

lived and which were baptized by his blood in his death. 

PRAYER FOR NEW PRESIDENT. 

" Hear our prayer for blessings of consolation upon all those 
who were associated with him in the administration of the affairs 
of the Government. Especially vouchsafe Thy presence to Thy 
servant, who has been suddenly called to assume the holy responsi- 
bilities of Chief Magistrate. O, God, bless our dear nation, and 
guide the Ship of State through stormy seas. Help Thy people to 
be brave to fight the battles of the Lord, and wise to solve all prob- 
lems of freedom. 

"Graciously hear us for comfortable blessings to rest upon 
the family circle of our departed friend. Tenderly sustain thine 
handmaiden upon whom the blow of this sorrow most heavily 
falls. Accompany her, O, God, as Thou hast promised, through 
this dark valley and shadow, and may she fear no evil, because 
thou art with her. 

"All these things wc ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our 
Lord, who has taught us vs^hen we pray to say : 

"Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name 
^ Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as 
Te forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into 
temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom 
and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. 

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Chrisf. the love of 0.4 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 3(j/ 

me Father, and Communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all, 
evermore. Amen." 

As Dr. Locke began the Lord's Prayer the mourners joined 
v;ith him, and all bowed low their heads as he pronounced the 
benediction. For a moment there was a hush. The services 
were finished, but no one moved. President Roosevelt stood 
immovable at the head of the casket, the Cabinet members in a 
line at the side. Then a man who seemed suddenly to have 
grown old slowly rose from his seat beside Governor Odell and 
slowly, very slowly, walked alone past the line of Cabinet officers 
and to the side of the new President. His hands clasped behind 
his back, his head bent down on his great chest, Senator Hanna 
stood and gazed on the face of the man he loved. 

SADLY LEFT THE ROOM. 

It seemed to the mourners that he stood looking down at his 
dear friend's face for fully five minutes— in reality it was nearly 
two minutes— before he turned and slowly, sadly retraced hia 
steps across the room. His eyes were suffused with tears and on 
his face was a drawn, haggard look that was almost startling in 
its intensity. His were the last eyes to look on the face of the 
martyred President in the house where he had died. 

As Senator Hanna sat down the casket was closed, and the 
soldiers and sailors advanced from the points where they had been 
stationed, and lifting it gently but firmly on their bioad shoulders 
they slowly began their solemn march to the hearse which stood 
waiting outside. Close behind the casket followed President 
Roosevelt, with Secretary Root on his left and the other members 
of the Cabinet following. Slowly they made their way into the 
hall, out the front door, down the steps and down the walk to the 
hearse, while a band posted across the street softly played "Nearer, 
My God to Thee." Lifting their precious burden into the funeral 
carriage they closed the doors. 

The hearse was driven across the street, and one after another 
the carriages came to the curb. In the first carriage President 
Roosevelt, Secretary Root, Postmaster-General Smith and Attor^ 



30S OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT, 

ney-General Knox took seats and started out on their long drive 
to the City Hall. In the second carriage sat Secretaries Wi*son, 
Hitchcock and Long and Secretary Cortelyou, that marvrlous 
man who bore up so well during all these trying days. Ger»eral 
Brooke sat alone in the third carriage, and Dr. and Mrs. I/^cke 
occupied- the fourth. 

Then came the hearse, drawn by four black horses. Walking 
beside the hearse were the active bearers, the soldiers and marines 
and a detail from the Grand Army of the Republic followed close 
behind. Next came a company of marines from Camp Haywood 
at the Pan-American Exposition. Then the Sixty-fifth Regiment 
band, a company of the Fourteenth Regiment stationed at Fori 
Porter, a company each from the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth 
Regiments, and a detail of sailors and marines from the Michigan 

The glories of our birth and state 

Are shadows, not substantial things ; 
Man has no armor against fate. 

Death lays his every hand on kings ; 
Sceptre and crown must tumble down, 
And in the dust be equal made. 

MIGHTY CONCOURSE OF MOURNERS. 

Even nature mourned for the poor clay that but a few hours 
before was ruler of a mighty people, while Church and man paid 
obsequious tribute of grief to the slain chieftain. Sable clouds 
darkened the skies and mourning winds lamented in the tree tops, 
and when the pomp of state unfolded banner at his bier, and 
sounded requiem with trumpet and drum, the heavens were riven 
and a deluge fell. 

It could not drown the reverent sorrow of the might}^ con- 
courses gathered for these solemn rites. Thousands upon thou- 
sands pressed and surged into a seemingly endless stream, and 
stepped with gentle footfall and hushed breath past the crape- 
garbed catafalque, where the waxen frame of greatness reposed in 
the supreme indifference of death. At night the doors were 
closed, and in the dread silence of its chamber, where time and 
flickering gas jets threw fearful shadows round, for servants of 



OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED TRESIDENT. 309 

the Republic kept guard and vigil over tlie dust of tlie Com- 
mander-in-Cliief. 

Simplicity tliat had in it something of majesty marked the 
ceremonies of the day- Huge banks of gray cloud hung low in 
the sky and a dismal wind crooned in the thick foliage of the 
};ardens when the assemblage began to gather before the Milburn 
house, and those with cards of authorization passed within. 
Ranked along the opposite curb were Company I, of the Four- 
teenth Regular Infantry, a corps of marines in command of young 
Captain Leonard, who lost his arm in China, and a body of sailors 
from the battleship Indiana and the old frigate Michigan. In 
front of these stood the Sixty-fifth Regiment band, and at the 
intersection of the two streets a platoon of mounted policemen, 
the officers in helmets and uniforms, tricked out with full dress, 

white and gold. 

LYING IN STATE. 

On a creped platform between the two windows of the spacious 
library, which looks out on the lawn, rested the casket. It was of 
massive mahogany with an outer covering of unrelieved crepe, 
and with double doors of glass and wood interlaid. The upper 
half of the casket was open, revealing the face and shoulders of 
the dead President, and across the lower half lay an American 
flag upon which rested a hugh wreath of purple violets, red roses 
and white chrysanthemums. Between the windows a mirror 
reached almost from floor to ceiling, reflecting the solemn panto- 
mine-like, sinister mockery of destiny. On its marble shelf at 
the bottom were two wreaths of roses and white chrysanthemums, 
with pendant purple ribbons. 

Throughout the services a soldier and sailor stood like 
statues at either window, and at front and rear doors were a ser- 
geant of infantry and a private. Thus far were the formalities 
bf state regarded in that hall of the illustrious dead. 

But in every soul gathered there stirred an emotion more 
vital and human than any panoply of power could give. It was 
for the woman and the wife, the fragile leaflet, buffeted and 
wounded by the storms of circumstance, who had known the 



310 OBSEQUIES OF OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

nioulding tenement lying tliere as more than chief and ruler, 
as lover, friend and husband, in whom the exigent ceremonies of 
statecraft had never touched except to loftier and grander values, 
the tender humanities of the home. 

Every eye mutely asked for her. Every heart throbbed 
quicker for her poignant anguish, but no one save a few 
cherished friends and guardians saw her. Until the verbal 
services began she sat in a room above with her sister, Mrs. 
Barber ; the latter's daughter, Dr. Rixby and Mrs. Garrett A. 
Hobart, widow of the former Vice President. 

They brought her to the head of the stairs, and there she sat, 

while the clergyman brokenly framed his devout phrases. Like 

a statue she sat, her delicate face clothed in spectral pallor, her 

eyes staring blankly into space, her thin hands folded placidly in 

her lap. 

The striking lines here inserted are from the pen of the 

gifted poetess, Ella Wheeler Wilcox : 

" In the midst of sunny waters, lo I the mighty Ship of State, 

Staggers, bruised and torn and wounded by a derelict of fate, 

One that drifted from its moorings, in the anchorage of hate, 

On the deck our noble Pilot, in the glory of his prime. 

Lies in woe-impelling silence, dead before his hour or time, 

Victim of a mind self-centred, a godless fool of crime. 

One of earth's dissension-breeders, one of Hate's unreasoning tools, 

In the annals of the ages, when the world's hot anger cools. 

He who sought for Crime's distinction shall be known as Chief of Fools 

In the annals of the ages, he who had no thought of fame 

(Keeping on the path of duty, caring not for praise or blame), 

Close beside the deathless Lincoln, writ in light, will shine his name. 

Youth proclaimed him as a hero ; Time, a statesman ; Love, a man. 

Death has crowned him as a martyr, so from goal to goal he ran, 

Knowing all the sum of glory that a human life may span. 

He was chosen by the people ; not an accident of birth 

Made him ruler of a nation, but his own intrinsic worth. 

Fools may govern over kingdoms — not republics of the earth. 

He has raised the lover's standard, by his loyalty and faith. 

He has shown how virile manhood may keep free from scandal's breath. 

He has gazed, with trust unshaken, in the awful eyes of death. 

In the mighty march of progress he has sought to do his best 

Let his enemies be silent, as we lay him down to rest. 

And may God assuage the anguish of one suffering woman's breast 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Great Outpouring of People to Honor the Martyred Presi- 
dent—Tokens of Grief— New President and Members of 
the Cabinet at the Bier— Memorable Scene. 

SUCH a spontaneous outpouring of men and women desirous 
of paying tlieir respects to a man whom they had loved and 
admired as that which took place in Buffalo never before occurred 
in this country. As early as five o'clock in the morning crowds 
began to gather at the points of vantage around the City Hall. 
They stood there all day, constantly increasing in numbers, and 
regardless of the wind and rain, which drenched them to the skin, 
in order that they might have a last look at the face of the dead 

President. 

No fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand persons were 
massed at one time behind the lines of police which held them in 
check. For hours, in double lines, two abreast, they filed past 
the coffin containing Mr. McKinley's body. Though they went 
through the City Hall at the rate of from one hundred and 
twenty-five to one hundred and eighty a minute, the stream never 
slackened. Late in the afternoon there were two lines, each 
nearly, if not quite, a mile long, in which were standing men and 
women who waited patiently for hours, many of them wet through 
and nearly all of them without food, in o'/^er to see the President's 

face. 

When Mrs. McKinley consented to permit her husband's 
body to lie in state in the City Hall, she would not permit it to 
be taken from the Milburn house until the committee in charge 
of the arrangements had promised to return it to her at six 
o'clock. She could not bear to have it out of her sight. The 
promise was made, but when it was seen what a vast outpouring 
blocked the streets, she was persuaded to forego it. It was 
planned originally to close the doors of the City Hall at five 



512 HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

o'clock. When that hour came 35,000 people had seen the body, 
and more than 100,000 more were waiting. 

It was evident to all who watched the sad faced procession 
that morbid curiosity had very little to do with the enormous 
assembly of people. Their attitude and expression signified a 
genuine and affectionate interest. Many were profoundly affected 
at the sight of the pale face in the cof&n. 

Special trains brought thousands from Lockport, Niagara 
Falls, Rochester and other cities and towns in the western part 
of the State, while many Canadians crossed the Niagara 1 'ver. 
Members of the Buffalo committee, who watched the crowd pass, 
said that not more than half of those who saw the body were 
residents of this city. 

EMBLEMS OF SORROW. 

All night decorators were preparing the City Hall for the 
reception of the body. Funeral bunting was draped both inside 
and outside. During the storm of the early morning, however, 
the exterior decorations- were torn down and some of the bunting 
became entangled in the machinery of the great clock on the 
tower, causing it to stop. It was said that the hands pointed to 
a quarter past two, the time at which the President breathed his 
last on the preceding morning. 

A block away ropes had been stretched across the streets 
leading to the City Hall, and behind those the crowd massed 
itself to the number of thousands. Though the assemblage was 
patient its mere weight pushed the ropes out of place, and the 
police were constantly employed in holding the lines. Though 
the sky clouded in the early morning it was not suf&ciently 
threatening to cause preparations to be made for rain, and many 
of the crowd were wholly unprovided with protection. The fact 
that it was Sunday accounted for more elaborate costumes than 
would have been worn on any other day. As the hour drew near 
for the appearance of the procession, which was to bring the 
President's body from the Mil burn house, the clouds grew blacker, 
and a few warning drops began to fall. It was then too late to 



HONORS TO OL'R MARTYRED PRESIDENI. 3i;> 

seek storm coats or umbrellas, and the dense masses of people 
held their places. 

Leaving the Milburn house, Ae cortege started down 
Delaware avenue slowly and solemi ly. So slowly, in fact, did it 
proceed that it took nearly two hours and a half to traverse the 
two and a half miles between the Milburn house and the City 
Hall, Thousands accompanied it or watched it go by from the 
broad sidewalks. The mournful and deliberate pace with which 
it proceeded added much to the impressiveness of the scene. 

The City Hall occupies an entire block between Delaware 
avenue on the west and Franklin street on the east ; on the north 
is Eagle street, and Church street is on the south. Around the 
hall are grassy spaces and the streets on all sides of it are more 
than the usual width, so that there was plenty of room for the 
funeral procession and for the crowds which sought the hall after 

it arrived. 

STRAINS OF THE FUNERAL MUSIC. 

Outside the hall the crowds waited, silently and patiently, 
until one o' deck, when the strains of Chopin's funeral march were 
heard in Delaware avenue, to the north. In a few moments the 
head of the procession swung from Delaware avenue into Eagle 
street, ar^d then into Franklin street, before the main entrance. 
The soldiers and marines wheeled into line along the curbs and 

grounded arms. ^ 

At this moment the threatening clouds opened and let fak 
drenching torrent of rain, which was swept across the square by 
a strong, gusty wind. The horses attached to the carriage in 
which were President Roosevelt and Secretary Root became 
excited just as they were turning into Franklin street and began 
to rear and plunge. Policemen caught their bridles, however, 
and succeeded in quieting them. The hearse drew up before the 
door and the band began to play the music of the hymn " Nearer, 
My God, to Thee," as the military bearers took the coffin upon 

their shoulders. , 

Before this President Roosevelt, the members of the Cabme. 

and the principal m.ourners had gathered in the rotunda. Presi- 



Cii HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENt. 

dent Roosevelt was tlie first to enter. From the pillars and the 
staircases hung draperies of black and white bunting. The in- 
terior of the hall forms a cross, a wide corridor running through 
it from east to west, and another corridor, somewhat narrower, 
crossing this at right angles from north to south. It had been 
arranged that the crowds should enter the wide corridor at the 
eastern entrance and pass out at the western entrance. Half way 
a low, sloping platform, draped in black, had been placed for the 
cof&n. It was so arranged that the head of the coffin should be 
slightly higher than its foot, which was toward the east. 

On either side of the entrances to the transverse corridor had 
been blocked by banks of palms and ferns. Directly above the 
spot where the coffin was to lie is a circular opening to the second 
floor. This had been completely covered by a dome of black 
bunting within, which hung straight down above the coffin, four 
American flags forming with their lower edges a cross which 
poiited to the four points of the compass. 

DRAPED WITH THE STARS AND STRIPES. 

President Roosevelt and the members of the Cabinet ranged 
themselves about the spot where the President's body was to rest. 
President Roosevelt stood at the foot of the coffin on the right 
hand, with Secretary Root opposite and facing him. On President 
Roosevelt's left were Attorney General Knox, Secretary Long and 
Secretary Wilson. On Mr. Root's right hand were Postmaster 
General Smith, Secretary Hitchcock and Mr. Cortelyou, the pri- 
vate secretary. 

As soon as these lines had formed the bearers brought the 
coffin slowly into the hall and lowered it carefully into place. ' 
The lid was removed so that the upper half was open, and the 
lower half was draped with a flag, upon which were masses of red 
and white roses. There were no flowers inside the coffin. The 
body of the President lay on its back, clad in a black frock coat, 
with the left hand resting across the breast. One glance at the 
face, startingly changed from its appearance in life, told the story 
of the suffering which had been endi^red before death came. 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 315 

Not a word was said, and as soon as the coffin had been 
arranged, President Roosevelt and Mr. Root, followed by the other 
vSecretaries, led the way past the coffin on either side, each glanc- 
ing for moment on the dead face. They then passed quickly out 
of the western entrance. Behind them came Senator Hauna, 
Senator Fairbanks and about one hundred men and women who 
had been waiting in the City Hall or who had accompanied the 
body from the Milburn residence. 

President Roosevelt and those who immediately followed him 
had passed out of the building at eighteen minutes after one 
o'c''ock. There was a slight delay while the guard was posted. 
At the head of the coffin stood Sergeant Gal way, of the Seventy- 
fourth Infantry Regiment, of the regular army with his rifle at 
attention. Chief Master-at-Atms Luze, of the *' Indiana," stood 
facing him at the foot, with his drawn cutlass at his shoulder. On 
the south, facing the coffin, stood Sergeant Gunther, of the Four- 
teenth Regiment. A. D. Cob urn, a sailor from the " Indiana;' 
stood facing him on the north. 

THOUSANDS TAKE A LAST LOOK. 

These men stood absolutely motionless, looking neither l^ 
the right nor left when the first of the crowd was admitted. The 
lines approached the eastern entrance from Kagle street on the 
north and Church street on the south. They were formed by the 
police, two abreast, and approached the hall in a wide sweeping 
curve, which was drawn in constantly where the currents joined. 
Both passed quickly out at the western entrance and down the 
steps, dispersing in various directions. 

Nothing was heard in the beginning but the tread of feet on 
the marble floor, as the crowd passed through without stopping. 
Bach individual had time only for a hasty glance as he was urged 
foiward by the police and by those who followed. The plan was 
so arranged that four persons could pass the coffin, two abreast on 
each side, at the same moment. As the afternoon wore on and 
the lines grew longer at their source, much faster than they were 
melting away at the hall, the police found it necessary to urge 



316 HONORS TO OUK MAKFrKED FKL-S-IDENT. 

greater haste in order tliat as many as possible miglit be admitted. 
Among the foremost to reacli the coffin was a slender man, 
poorly dressed, witb iron gray bair and moustacbe. Beside tbe 
coffin be leaned over and made a menacing gesture witb bis band. 
"Curse tbe man tbat sbot you !" be said. Tbe police urged bini 
forAvard and be went out sbaking bis bead and muttering tbreats 
against tbe anarcbists. 

CHILDREN IN THE CROWD 

Many men and women brougbt witb tbem young cbildren, 
wbom tbey raised in tbeir arms in order tbat tbey migbt see, and 
perbaps remember in after life, tbe face of tbe President. A 
tattered and grimy bootblack, witb bis box slung over bis sboulder, 
leading by tbe band bis sister, smaller but no less grimy tban be, 
filed by, walking on tiptoe in order to look into tbe coffin. Many 
of tbose wbo came wore mourning badges or buttons bearing 
portraits of tbe President, edged witb black. At frequent intervals 
in tbe crowd could be seen men wearing tbe buttons of tbe G. 
A. R., Avbo bad come to pay tbeir last respects to tbeir fallen 
comrade. Some of tbem walked witb crutcbes, wbile otbers 
carried empty sleeves. Tbey bowed tbeir beads reverently as 
tbey passed and tbeir eyes were moist as tbey made tbeir way 
toward tbe exit. 

Tbere was a cessation of tbe rain soon ,ifter tbe coffin bad 
been brougbt into tbe building, and for balf an bour it beld up. 
At a quarter before two o'clock, bowever, tbe storm began again, 
giving tens of thousands of men and women anotber drencbing. 
Tbe wind was so bigb tbat umbrellas afforded little protection. 
In many cases tbey were turned inside out or torn from tbe bands 
of tbeir owners. In all tbe downpour, bowever, every one main- 
tained bis place in line. Women wearing sbirt waists wbicb bad 
been wet tbrougb were in tbe procession, regardless, apparently, 
of tbeir discomfort so long as tbey could gratify tbeir desire to 
see tbe President. 

Toward tbe end of tbe afternoon some Indians, in tbeir 
blankets and feathers, followed by tbeir squaws, filed by. As 



Honors to our martyred presidknt. ni? 

tliey passed each of them dropped a white carnation upon the 
President's coffin. Two chubby little Indian girls forgot their 
ceremony, and went out each clasping her flower tightly in her 
brown hand. The officials of the Exposition and the representa- 
tives of foreign governments commissioned to attend the Exposi- 
tion with exhibits from other countries were in line. 

Soldiers of the regular army, in their blue cape coats, went 
by, and policemen off duty, holding their helmets in their 
hands ; National Guardsmen with khaki gaiters ; colored men, 
among them James Parker, who felled Czolgosz before he could 
fire a third shot at the President ; little girls in their Sunday 
dresses, with their braided hair over their shoulders ; young men, 
husbands and wives, mothers with their sons or daughters went 
by in the never ending stream. One wrinkled old woman with 
a child in her arms, which she seemed almost too feeble to carr}^, 
had waited for hours outside, and finally succeeded in seeing the 
President when her turn came. 

Flowers were received at the hall from Helen Miller Gould, 

Tent No. 8, Daughters of Veterans ; from the Commissioners of 

Chili to the Exposition ; from the Mexican Commissioners, and 

from General Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico, and many 

others. 

DOORS OF THE HALL KEPT OPEN. 

Monotonously the streams of people flowed past the coffin 
while twilight fell and darkness gathered. The interior of the 
City Hall was illuminated by electricity, and the streets in the 
vicinity were brightly lighted. Toward sunset the sky cleared 
and there was an immediate increase in the already enormous 
crowds. Though it had been planned to close the doors of the 
hall at 5 o'clock the committee in charge of the ceremonies were 
unwilling to disappoint the great throngs, and it was decided to 
keep the hall open until the streams were exhausted. 

Senator Hanna selected the President's coffin. The frame 
was of red cedar, covered with black cloth, and inside was a copper 
box with a white satin lining. The handles were of ebony finish. 
The cover of the copper box consisted ^f ? full lengrth Dane of 



ms HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESmENT. 

plate glass, whicli rendered the box air tight. Upon the outer 
box of the casket was the inscription: "William McKinley, 
born January 29, 1843, died September 14, 1901." Instead of| 
falling away, as was expected, the crowds waiting to see the 
President's body seemed to diminish very little during the even- 

LAMENTED BY THOUSANDS. 

The following additional account is from the pen of an eye 
Vv'itness of the wonderful scene : 

" All Buffalo is at the bier of the dead President to-night. 
From I o'clock to-day, through fierce storm and sweltering sun, 
two apparently endless lines of humanity have been moving 
fteadily past the black, rose-covered coffin in the rotunda of the 
City Hall of that which in life was William McKinley. 

" The throng which pressed up through the barren, grass- 
worn shelters of City Hall Park in New York sixteen years ago 
to look on the set features of the hero of Appomattox was not 
more reverent, eager or patient than this throng is to-night. The 
press began when President Roosevelt left the coffin side shortly 
ufter I o'clock. From indications the rotunda of City Hall will 
not be deserted before daylight to-morrow, though the crowd, by 
twos, passes the casket at the rate of nearly 200 per minute. 

" As the placid, pallid features appear beneath the plate glass 
of the coffin bed they are sunken and slightly discolored. The 
body is robed in a black frock suit and in the left lapel of the 
coat is the button of the Legion of Honor. There are no other 
medals, marks or insignia ; nothing to indicate, that beneath the 
rose and autumn leaves repose the remains of the Chief of the 
greatest nation of the age. 

" The scenes at the historic Milburn house in the morning 
were simple in the extreme. Services which, beyond the signifi- 
cance of the prayer, would have marked the last rites over the 
body of the plainest citizen. Two hymns, a Scriptural reading, 
a prayer — and all was over. Then the shuffie of feet marking 
time, the low word of command, the mournful dirge and the 
march to the City Hall began. 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 319 

*' President Roosevelt reached the Milbiirn house at ii 

o'clock, half an hour before the time set for the services. He was 

apparently unaccompanied, but an instant after he alighted three 

commonplace looking men, they might have been bookkeepers or 

clerks or grocers, slipped out of a carriage that followed. It was 

the secret service and local detective guard over the new 

President. A few minutes later the Cabinet arrived. Then Rev. 

C. E. Locke, of the Delaware Avenue Methodist Episcopal 

Church, a sallow, dark-haired intellectual man, came with his 

wife. At intervals the invited personages, mostly Buffalo folks, 

the statesmen in the city, walked slowly up the flagstone 

pavement. 

TRAMP OF POLICE. 

" Before the services began there was a sound of feet keeping 
lime on the asphalt and a small squad of police appeared, and 
were quickly and quietly distributed around the house. A few- 
moments later a company of the Fourteenth United States 
Infantry marched almost noiselessly up Delaw^are avenue and 
took up a position opposite the house. Then a company of 
marines, under the one-armed hero. Captain Leonard, took a 
position to the right of the infantry, and in quick order came a 
picked company of the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth Regiments 
of the National Guard of New York. 

" Stretching up Delaware avenue was a line of black car- 
riages headed by the hearse. The latter was sombre black, 
without plumes, drawn by four black horses, each led by a 
policeman. Down West Ferry street a dozen mounted policemen 
stood beside the horses waiting the order to lead the escort. 

" Meantime the services in the house of death had begun. 
The body reposing in a black, lusterless, hood cloth casket witb 
black handles, lay near the centre of the library, the head toward 
the East, where the light from a large bay window fell full upon 
it. Around the foot of the coffin was wrapped a large silk flag. 

"When the services began President Roosevelt took a posi- 
tion standing near the head of the casket. To his right were the 
members of the Cabinet, each dressed like the President, in black, 



320 HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT, 

witli a tiny band of black silk crepe around tbe left arm abovt 
the elbow. Outside the lawn was filled with persons unable to 
obtain entrance to the house. 

"Grouped around the parlor were men whose names are 
known throughout the world, and whose faces in pictorial present- 
ment are known everywhere : Senators Chauncey Depew; Keene, 
of New Jersey ; Mark Hanna, of Ohio ; Fairbanks, of Indiana ; 
Burroughs, of Maine ; Congressmen Alexander, of Buffalo, and 
Olmsted, of Pennsylvania, while the attendant physicians in the 
last illness and every principal official of the Pan-American Ex- 
position were also present. 

" None of the family or personal friends of the dead President 
was present in the library. Upstairs where she could hear all that 
was said, but out of sight of the casket and concealed even from 
intimate friends, Mrs. McKinley sat attended by Dr. Rixey. The 
other relations, Abner McKinley and family, the President's sister 
and sister-in-law, were all seated, near the head of the stairs. 

THE FUNERAL HYMNS. 

" A selected quartet with splendid effect sang "Lead, Kindly 
Light," and then Dr. C. B. Locke, of the Delaware Avenue Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, advanced to the head of the casket and 
read the fifteenth chapter of the First Corinthians. Again the 
quartet sang, this time, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Then Dr. 
Locke prayed fervently. (His prayer has been inserted in a pre- 
ceeding chapter.) 

" This ended the sendees. There was a slight pause and 
President Roosevelt advancing took a long look at the calm fea- 
tures in the casket. It was manifest that he was moved by deep 
emotion. Then the members of the Cabinet, the men who in re- 
cent years perhaps have known President McKinley more inti- 
mately than any others, looked their farewell. Among the last 
was Senator Mark Hanna. He gazed long and earnestly at tUe 
face of his friend, his frame betraying the intensity of his feelings 
Then turning suddenly he sank into a chair and buried his face in 
Ms hands. 



LEAD. KINDLY LIGHT. 



321 



DYKES. 



MEWMANM, 183S. 




1 Lead 

2 I 

3 So- 



jkind-ly Light, a-mid th' en-circling gluom 
was not ev - er thus, nor pray'd that Thou 
long Thy pow'r has Mest me, sure it still 



Lead Thou me on; 
Shouldst lead me on; 
Will lead me oa 



mfrf^nf: 



^A 



^^ 



^ 



^ 



fcr 



-m * — - S ' ^ 



s 






i^ 



-i^-y- 



3=;: 



^ 



The night is dark, and I am far from home, 

lov'd to choose and see ray path ; but now 
0*er moor and fen, o'er crag and tor- rent, tili 



^^ 



-T» ^ .r 



r 



-f?€>^ 




LeadThou me on. 
Lead Thou me on. 
The night is gone, 



f 



^;i==m:. 



fc^ 



i 



'J L, 




^ 



Rteep Thou 

I loy'd 

And with 



122: 



my 

th 

th 



feet; I do not ask to 

gar ish day ; and, spite cf 

morn those au - gel fa - ces 



^^ 



1^^ 






X X f r 



see 

fears, 

smile, 



:rQd=A 



m 



^^- 



■^^ 



The dis - tant 

Pride rul'd my 

Which " 



-9^ %- 



^ 



scene 


one step 


e 


will: 


re - mem 


-ber 


lov'd 


long since, 


and 



nough 

not 

lost 



for 
past 
a • 



m 



years, 
while. 




This beautiful hymn composed by Cardinal Newman was the especial favorite of William McKinley 

snd was sung at Memorial Services. 
21 McK 



^22 HONORb lO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

** Tlie crowd on tlie lawn was scattering now, tlie mounted 
police Had wheeled into company front and were waiting the 
order to march. Swiftly a hush fell over the crowd. The hun- 
dred or more newspaper correspondents over by the telegraph 
tents became more attentive. The President and Cabinet emerged 
from the house and lined up on either side of the walk, bare 
headed. General Brooke and his aides, adding a touch of brilliant 
color in their uniforms, fell further to the rear, there was the low 
mellow roll of a snare drum and then the casket appeared in the 
doorway, borne aloft on the shoulders of four sergeants of infan- 
try and artillery and as many gunners' mates from the revenue 
cutter "Michigan." 

"NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE." 

" As the leader of the Sixty-fifth Regiment band caught the 
gleam of the flag-draped coffin through the ivy over the porch, he 
gave a quick signal and the band softly played the President's 
favorite hymn, " Nearer, My God, to Thee." Every head was 
bared. Absolute silence reigned. The top of the casket bore a 
pillow of roses, banked in brown autumn leaves, a wreath of 
royal purple immortelles, a handful of brilliant red flowers and 
then over the head another pillow of white roses. 

*'The mounted police led off, followed by regulars and 
marines, and the rest of the soldiery. After them came the car- 
riages of the Cabinet Ministers. In the first carriage with Presi- 
dent Roosevelt were Secretary Root, Attorney-General Knox and 
Postmaster-General Smith, the three latter being the senior Cabi- 
net officers now in the city. The second carriage contained Sec- 
retaries Wilson and Hitchcock and Secretary Cortelyou. The 
third cirriage contained General Brooke, of the United States 
army, and two aides. Following was a carriage with Senators 
Hanna, Fairbanks and Burroughs, and Governor Odell, of New 
York. Immediately preceding the hearse was a carriage with 
Rev. Dr. Locke and his wife. None of the family accompanied 
the body to the City Hall. 

"The procession moved down Delaware avenue, just as noon 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 323 

was striking, between parallel lines of mourning thousands. As 
the flag-wrapped coffin went past every hat was raised and a silence 
as of the grave fell over the host. Down in the vicinity of the 
City Hall, meantime, a great concourse had assembled, held 
within bounds by restraining ropes. Policemen were stationed 
every dozen feet inside these barriers, while the entire force of 
mounted police kept the more eager and restless ones in submis- 
sion. It was not a turbulent crowd, but its very mass made it 
restless. On Franklin street, at the junction with Eagle, the 
crush was something terrible, and half a dozen women fainted 
and were rescued and cared for by the police. 

" The rotunda of the Buffalo City Hall with its entrances 
east and west and its cross sections is shaped like a cross with a 
circular dome rising at the intersection of the arms. This was 
roofed with black festoons, while both sides ot the rotunda, north 
and south, were a solid mass of green palms. In the center of 
this, directly under the dome, was a platform draped in black 
cashmere, and raised ten inches above the floor, the western end 
being five or six inches higher than the eastern. On this the 
body of the President reposed. 

SET FLORAL PIECE. 

" In the center of the south bank of palms was a huge set 
piece of immortelles, the flags of the United States and France 
crossed beneath a door with oustretched wings. It was the gift of 
the Society Francaise, of Buffalo, and was the only set floral piece 
in the City Hall. All around the circular balcony were festoons 
of black and white and flags draped with crepe. 

" The day opened brilliantly. The sun streamed in un- 
dimmed radiance over the closing scenes at the Milburn house, 
but as the cortege moved slowly down the wide avenue the west 
became darkened with clouds, purplish-black and within an hour, 
light raindrops, heralds of the coming storm, caused thousands 
of umbrellas to be lifted like great black mushrooms over the 
heads of the packed thousands. 

" Then appeared a startling and dramatic climax to the 



• 324 HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

movement of tlie procession. Just as its head appeared at tlie 
City Hall square and while the full rich notes of Chopin's fune- 
ral march swelled out over the heads of the multitude and came 
back in mellow echoes like a benediction from the towering walls 
on either side, the storm burst forth in all its fury. 

" It swept blinding gusts of rain around the comers of the 
great granite building, that stung the face like whipcords. It 
seemed for the space of five minutes as if every window of heaven 
had been opened. The gutters rose like mimic mountain torrents, 
waterspouts and gargoyles bubbled and foamed out little cata- 
racts. But in the midst of this torrent not a soul stirred- The 
soldierly, drenched and unprotected, stood like statues. The 
packed crowds never wavered, only here and there on the high 
rooofs of adjoining buildings the spectators sought shelter. 

MOURNERS ENTER ROTUNDA. 

" Before the cof&n had been deposited on the catafalque the 
official mourners entered the rotunda. President Roosevelt 
walked up the steps of the main entrance under an umbrella 
held b}^ Secret Service Operative Foster. Others performed a 
similar service for the Cabinet ministers. President Roosevelt 
took his position to the left" of the casket with Secretary Root to 
his left and then Secretaries Long and Hitchcock beyond in a 
line. On the opposite side of the casket were Secretary Wilson, Post- 
master General Smith, Attorney General Knox and General 
Brooke, of the army. As soon as the body was deposited in the 
catafalque, President Roosevelt, with Secretary Root by his side, 
and followed by the other Cabinet officers, left the building. 

" Within five minutes the signal was given and the patient 
populace was admitted. The police kept it moving steadily. At 
the head of the coffin was a sergeant of infantry with fixed ba}^- 
onet, at the foot a sailor, a gunner's mate with drawn cutlas, 
while on either side were another sergeant of artillery and a 
marine. 

" The scenes during the day will never be forgotton by those 
who witnessed them. Men, women and children, the halt, the 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. .,.,« 

lame and blind, rich and poor, Jew, Gentile, Greek and barbarian ; 

the minister of the gospel and the habitue of the slums ; the 

sweet-faced matron from a home of refinement and the scarlet 

Jezebel of the curb ; the canting fanatic, who had cursed the 

canteen and President McKinley during his life and the besotted 

dram drinker from the groggery in the alley, all, all were in line 

to look with love and sorrow for the last time on the face of the 

dead. 

LONG UNBROKEN LINE, 

" The rain descended, but still the line remained unbroken, 
stretching away for three squares. Men and women were in line 
for four hours. Some had children in their arms. When at last 
the police got the people in order two compact lines were formed, 
one passing on each side of the casket. What a picture it was. 
Women wept and men with eyes full of tears held their children 
on high that they might see and remember, even in death, the 
face of the splendid Christian, and upright statesman. As I write 
near to midnight the lines still wind their sinuous way around 
the square and past the black casket and white face of the voice- 
less, pulseless inmate. 

" The wretched, God-forgotten degenerate who wrought this 
splendid ruin is hidden somewhere in the city. He was spirited 
away when the fear grew that he might be the subject of a frenzied 
attack. It is said that to escape the crowd he was disguised as a 
policeman. Back at the Milburn house, Mrs. McKinley rests 
under her great affliction with the physicians fearful of the final 
outcome. Her vitality is very near the point of exhaustion. The 
golden thread is strained very nearly to the snapping point." 

The following comment by a prominent journal voiced the 
sentiments of our whole people respecting Mr. McKinley : 

"The mournful news from Buffalo falls heavily on the 
hearts of a sorrowing nation. William McKinley is dead. The 
hopes of the nation, but yesterda}^ so high, and apparently so well 
justified by the confidence of the physicians, are thus abruptly 
and cruelly crushed. For the moment the American people will 
think only of the great, gentle-hearted man whose name has been 



526 HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

added to those of Lincoln and Garfield on the Republic's roll of 
martyr-Presidents. Perhaps the bitterest drop in this cup of 
national grief is that the assassin has taken from the nation's 
highest post of duty a man who, in all the relationships of life, 
public and private, and no less in his official than in his domestic 
character, was amiable and generous to a fault, kindly to the 
point of tenderness and devotedly true in all things. 

" His blameless and really beautiful home life, the typically 
American constancy of affection which bound him to his wife and 
her to him, making each the first object of the other's solicitude, 
so that the public rarely saw and never thought of the President 
without seeing and thinking also of Mrs. McKinley, especially 
endeared him to the masses of home-loving Americans. This 
side of his character gave him while he lived, and will keep for 
him now that he is dead, the same kind of profound popular re- 
spect and liking which the other branch of the Anglo-Saxon 
family feU und still feels for Queen Victoria. 

REMARKABLE PROSPERITY. 

"This is neither the place nor the hour for any extended re- 
view of Mr. McKinley's administration or political policies. It is 
merely stating facts in a brief and comprehensive way to say that 
the country has enjoyed a remarkable period of material pros- 
perity since he was first inaugurated ; that his financial policy, 
which held the country fast to the moorings of a sound and 
honest currency, was a fundamental condition of that prosperity. 
For this alone the nation will ever remember his two elections 
with gratitude. Beyond this, as his last speech at Buffalo clearly 
ishowed, Mr. McKinley had an open, receptive and therefore pro- 
gressive mind, and, had not the hand of the assassin interposed, 
was ready to lead his party and the country in the inauguratiru 
of a broader, freer and sounder commercial policy. 

" To lose such a man at such a time is indeed a great national 
misfortune. To lose him in such a manner a sacrifice to the 
motiveless mania for murder of the anarchists— is the most 
lamentable feature of it all. Yet will he not have died in vain if his 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 327 

deatli leads to a concentration of all the resources of civilization 
in a stern and effective effort to repress the international Ishmael- 
ites whose hands are against all law-abiding men, and against 
whom, theiefore, the hands of all law-abiding men must be joined. 
''One of the best and best beloved of American Presidents 
falls a victim to the worst and most abhorred of evil passions. The 
nation is plunged into mourning for him who had, through his 
patriotism, his labors and his wisdom, given it cause for its highest 
rejoicings. The trusted leader, under whose benign administra- 
tion the last scars of old fraternal strife disappeared, unprece- 
dented prosperity was given to the whole land, and the power and 
fame of America were wondrously magnified, is taken from us 
through the vile machinations of an alien growth which never 
should have had so much as a foothold upon American soil. 

ONE OF THE COMMON PEOPLE. 

" As we review his pure and lofty career, literally without 
fear and without reproach in public and in private life, there comes 
a thrill of pride at the thought that this man was an American 
citizen, one of the " common people," a typical product of our 
race. But as we think of the manner of his taking off it is im- 
possible to restrain a passionate disgust and loathing at the 
thought that the soil upon which such a man grew should be 
polluted by the presence of even one single anarchist. The nation, 
bowed in grief for its irreparable loss, offers to Mrs. McKinley, 
recently so near to death herself, now so brave and calm, the as- 
surance of its tenderest sympathy in her utter desolation. 

" Whether the President recovered or not from his would-be 
murderer's assault — an assault from which of all men the broad 
humanity of his character and purposes should have defended him 
— his place was already secure in the great line of American rulers 
and statesmen. Whether his fate was to couple itself with Lin- 
coln's, stricken down at the very threshold of a second term of 
office, or he was to be spared to imitate the example of Washing- 
ton and retire, his work completed, amid the plaudits of his coun- 
trymen, he could safely count on the impartial judgment of 



223 ■ HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

tistory to link his name witli those of the two great Presidents to 
vvhonx beyond all others this country owes the impulses of which 
have made it an indivisible and sovereign Union. 

" To the work of nationalization begun by Washington and 
completed in the clash of arms by Lincoln, it fell to President 
McKinley's statesmanship to give the final healing and harmon- 
izing touches, and his administration has seen the nation emerge 
at last from the shadows of sectionalism and realize, after a 
century of effort, that ' more perfect union' which it was the 
fundamental purpose of the Federal constitution to promote. 

SET UP A NEW MILESTONE. 

"Though supplementary in their character, President 
McKinley's contributions to the creation of a truly national 
spirit have therefore been as genuine and as vital as eithei 
Lincoln's or Washington's. His first administration must, in 
fact, be accepted as marking a new and important milestone in our 
political development. Three distinct services in broadening and 
unifying our national life are to be credited to William McKin- 
leys' political leadership. His first Presidential campaign broke 
at last the lines of the Solid South, and his second showed that 
the wedge driven into that crumbling fabric of sectional passions 
and sectional prejudices had been driven in to stay. The war 
with Spain hastened the process which the canvass of 1896 had 
so happily begun, and the call of the Government for troops 
reunited old foes in war and politics under a single flag. 

" But the first McKinley administration did more than 
merely soothe sectional resentments ; it saw uprooted two political 
issues which had long been used to inflame internal dissensions — 
to set class against class and section against section. The tariff 
question which had been artfully employed to array the agri- 
cultural against the manufacturing States and Southern interests 
against Northern interests, ceased, after the passage of the Ding- 
ley act, to be a bone of partisan contention, while the silver 
question, which was depended on to pit the poor against the rich, 
and the far West and South against the rest of the Union, dropped 



HONORS TO OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 



329 



with the election of 1900 out of the category of disturbing political 
problems. 

"Sectional prejudices beaten down and sectional questions 
thrust aside, American political life has naturally entered its last 
and truest national phase. In the train of our victory over Spain 
new responsibilities and new opportunities have come, which force 
the nation more and more to forget internal distractions and to 
face the problems of our changed relationship with the outside 
world. 

THE TREATY WITH SPAIN. 

"With the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris American energy 
felt itself turned to new tasks and new questions of statecraft, and 
a new ferment of national spirit has signalized the final acceptance 
by the United States of its true role as one of the greatest powers 
in the civilized world. President McKinley's first administration 
promises to take its color in history from the Paris convention 
and the consequences flowing from that epoch making instrument; 
and with this last rounded development of American nationality 
his name is certain to be as fitly associated as Lincoln's is with 
its middle phase, or Washington's is with it earliest beginnings." 

Mr. McKinley was always actuated in his administration of 
public affairs by the homely tenet of Lincoln to act as " God gives 
us to see the right," blended wdth that ancient democratic axiom, 
"Vox populi, vox Dei." Like General Grant, he put the will of 
the people paramount and tried to make sure the greatest good 
for the greatest number. He believed in the mandate of the 
majority, and obeyed it, holding that the citizen had the supreme 
power. He believed that the popular will of educated masses 
could hardly give unjust orders or make unfair demands. 

Having long been a member of Congress he knew and re- 
spected the authority of that body. He had policies of his own 
formulation which he urged upon the representatives of the people, 
but when they refused to adopt them, he bowed to their decision 
and executed the laws they passed as cheerfully ps he would those 
of his own suggestion. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Funeral Cortege Reaches Washington — A Nation's Tribute 
of Respect and Love — Services in the Capitol — Memo; 
rial Address of Bishop Andrews. 

DENBATH the great white dome of the Capitol funeral services 
■*-^ of state were held over the remains of the dead President. It 
was eminently fitting that the services should be conducted 
in that beautiful rotunda hallowed by the history of the last sad 
rites of two other martyrs to the cause of the Republic. As befitted 
the occasion and the character of the man whose remains were 
lying cold and rigid in the narrow embrace of the metallic casket, 
the services were simple. 

They were conducted in accordance with tht, rites of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which President McKinley was a 
lifelong member. Consisting only of two hjanns, a song, a prayer, 
an address and a benediction, they were beautifu' and solemnly 
impressive. Gathered around the bier were representatives of 
every phase of American national life, including the President and 
the only surviving ex-President of the United States, together 
with representatives at this capital of almost every nation of the 
earth. Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and all the 
Republics to the southward of the United States mingled their 
tears with those of the American people. 

Despite the fact that no attempt had been made to decorate 
the interior of the rotunda, beyond the arrangements made about 
the catafalque, the assemblage presented a memorable sight. The 
sombre black of the attire of the hundreds of civilians present was 
splashed brilliantly with the blue and gold of the representatives 
of the army and the navy and the court costumes of the Diplo- 
matic Corps. As the sweet notes of Mr. McKinley's favorite 
hymn, "Lead, Kindly Light," floated through the great rotunda, 
the assemblage rose to its feet. Bared heads were bowed and eyes 

streamed with tears. At the conclusion of the hymn, as Rev. Dr 
330 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. 33^ 

Naylor, Presiding Elder of the Wasliington District, rose to offer 
pra3^er, the hush that fell upon the people was profound. When, 
in conclusion, he repeated the words of the Lord's Prayer, the 
great audience joined solemnly with him. The murmur of their 
voices resembled nothing less than the roll of far distant surf. 

Scarcely had the word amen been breathed when the liquid 
tone of that sweetly pleading song, "Some Time We'll Under- 
stand," went straight to the heart of every auditor. The solo 
was sung by Mrs. Thomas C. Noyes, and the beautiful refrain 
was echoed and re-echoed by the double quartette choir. 

ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD. 

The venerable Bishop Edward G. Andrews, of Ohio, the 
oldest Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then took his 
position at the head of the bier. A gentle breeze through the 
rotunda stirred the delicate blooms which lay upon the coffin, 
and the " peace that passeth all understanding" seemed to rest 
upon the venerable man's countenance as he began his eulogy of 
the life and works of William McKinley. His words were 
simple, but his whole heart was in every one of them. His 
tribute to the Christian fortitude of the dead President was im- 
pressive. Upon the conclusion of the sermon, the audience, as 
if by pre-arrangement, joined the choir in singing "Nearer, My 
God, to Thee." All present seemed to be imbued with a senti- 
ment of hallowed resignation as the divine blessing was asked by 
the Rev. W. H. Chapman, acting pastor of the Metropolitan 
Methodist Episcopal Church, upon both the living and the dead. 

Mrs. McKinley, bereft of husband and prostrated by her 
overwhelming sorrow, did not attend the services at the Capitol. 
It was deemed wise by those now nearest and dearest to her that 
she should not undergo the ordeal her attendance would entail 
upon her. She remained at the White House, comforted by 
every attention that loving thoughtfulness could suggest. 

Arrangements for the movement of the funeral cortege from 
the White House to the Capitol were completed that night aftei 
the remains of the President had been deposited in the historic 



332 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL 

East Room of the mansion. It was a perfect autumn day, but 
the morning dawned gray and dreary. The sky was overcast 
with low flying clouds. Nature itself seemed to be in mourning 
for the nation's dead. As the hours passed dashes of rain fell 
, at intervals, but, despite this discomfort, tens of thousands of sor- 
rowing people appeared early upon the streets. Both sides of 
Pennsylvania avenue, from the White House to the Capitol, were 
massed vnth an impenetrable cordon of people, wishing in this 
way to pay final tribute of love and respect for the dead. 

DISTINGUISHED ESCORT. 

As the funeral cortege, escorted by troops representing every 
department ot the nation's martial service, and by representatives 
of religious and civic organizations, passed down the broad thor- 
oughfare to the solemn notes of the Dead March from "Saul" 
wailed by the bands, the sorrowing people bared their heads 
despite the rain, and the many tear-stained faces bespoke their 
grief more eloquently than words. It was a silent throng. Not- 
a sound was heard. With aching hearts all remembered that 
only a few months ago, the dead President, then in the fulness 
of life and triumph, had passed along that same thoroughfare to 
be inaugurated a second time President. The flags that had flut. 
tered greeting to him in March were furled and crepe bedecked 
in September. The cheers of spring became the sobs of autumn- 
Grief had usurped the place of joy. 

As with solemn and cadenced tread the procession moved 
down the avenue, the people recognized as one of the mourners 
their former President, Grover Cleveland, who had come to paj 
his tribute to his successor. They recognized, too, their new 
President, upon whom the responsibilities of Chief Executive had 
been thrust so unexpectedly. With silent salute they greeted 
him, and with them he mingled his tears in sorrow for the dead. 

Among the hundreds of other distinguished persons who 
were in attendance upon the funeral services were : Governor 
Gregory, of Rhode Island ; Governor Yates, of Illinois ; Governor 
Hill, of Maine ; Governor Crane, of Massachusetts ; Governor 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL ^^^ 

Aycock, of North Carolina ; Governor White, of West Virginia ; 
Governor Stickne}', of Vermont, and Governor Voorhees, of New 
Jerse}^ Colonel Stone represented the Governor of California, 
and Colonel A. C. Kanffman, of Charleston, represented Governor 
McSweeney, of South Carolina, and conveyed the Governor's 
regrets that he was unable personally to attend; District Commis- 
sioners; J. Pierpont Morgan, of New York ; John Kasson, former 
Special Reciprocity Commissioner ; Pension Commissioner Henry 
Clay Evans. The Grand Master of the Knights Templar of the 
United States, was represented by Grand Junior Warden Frank 
H. Thomas. Among the prominent women present were Mrs. 
Garret A. Hobart, widow of ex- Vice-President Hobart, who was 
escorted by her son, and Mrs. Russel A. Alger. 

LAST LOOK AT THE DEAD PRESIDENT. 

At the conclusion of the funeral services in the rotunda, the 
casket lid was removed in order that the immediate friends of the 
dead President might be afforded the comfort of a last glance at 
his features, and that the people whom he loved and who loved 
him might pass the bier for the same purpose. At half-past 12 
the crowds began to file through the rotunda, and during the six 
hours in which the body was lying in state, it seemed that 55,000 
people viewed the remains. 

Just at I o'clock a frightful calamity was narrowly averted 
at the east front of the Capitol. For hours the vast throng of 
people, had been massed in front of the Capitol awaiting an oppor- 
tunity to enter the rotunda. When the doors were opened tens 
of thousands of people rushed almost frantically to the main 
staircase. 

The police and military guards were swept aside and almost 
in a twinkino: there was a tremendous crush at the foot of the 
great staircase. The immense throng swept backward and for- 
ward like the surging of a mighty sea. Women and children, a 
few of the latter babes in arms, were caught in the crowd, and 
many were badly hurt. Strong men held children and even women 
high above the heads of the surging crowd to protect them from 



334 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL, 

bodily injury. Despite the efforts of the police and military and 
the cooler heads in the throng, approximately a hundred people 
were injured. Some of the more seriously hurt were carried into 
the rotunda and into various adjoining apartments of the Capitol, 
where first aid treatment was given them. A number were 
hurried to hospitals in ambulances, but the majority either were 
taken to or subsequently went unassisted to their homes. 

After the crush had been abated upon the staircase and 
plaza, immediately in front of it were found tattered pieces of 
men's and women's wearing apparel of all kinds, crushed hats, 
gloves and even shoes, watches, pocketbooks, keys and knives 
were picked up. 

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED FLORAL OFFERINGS. 

When the remains of the dead President were finally closed 
forever to the view of Washington people, the cavalry escort 
again was formed and conveyed them to the special train which 
now is carrying the body to Canton. The magnificent display of 
floral offerings, numbering no less than 125 pieces and making 
the most remarkable floral tribute ever seen here, were taken to 
the station from the Capitol in carriages and wagons, and there 
placed aboard a special car which had been provided for them. 
Three sections, comprising in all twenty passenger coaches, were 
necessary to accommodate all those who accepted invitations to 
make the journey to Canton. 

An eye-witness thus describes the impressive scene : 
" Early this morning the chief ofiicers of the Government, 
civil, military and judicial, began to arrive, and many others 
whose names are familiar the world over came singly and in 
groups to pay their tribute at his ofiicial home to the nation's 
illustrious dead. Several members of the diplomatic corps in 
court costume were among the early comers. Bx-President 
Cleveland and ex-Secretary of War Lamont arrived about 8.30, 
and were shown at once to seats in the Red Parlor. The mem- 
bers of the Cabinet began to arrive soon after, and were imme- 
diately followed by the members of the Senate Committee and the 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. 335 

members of the United States Supreme Court, headed by Chief 
Justice Fuller, in their robes of office. 

"President Roosevelt arrived at 8.50 o'clock, accompanied by 
his wife and his sister, and went immediately to the Blue Parlor, 
where they were joined by the members of the Cabinet. The 
President wore a frock coat, and a baud of crepe on the left arm. 
Mrs. McKiuley arose earlier than usual to prepare for the ordeal. 
She had rested quite well during the night, but her pale face told 
plainly of her sufferings. She gave no sign of collapse, however, 
and her physician confidently believes that she will keep up her 
strength and courage to the end. 

GRAND ARMY REPRESENTED. 

" Senator Hanna reached the White House only a short time 
before the procession was to move. His face looked drawn, and, 
leaning heavily on his cane, it was plainly evident that he was 
suffering. While the men of note were arriving at the White 
House, the funeral escort, under command of Major General John 
R. Brooke, was forming immediately in front of the White House. 
Besides regular soldiers, sailors and marines, the escort was made 
up of a detachment of the National Guard, members of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion and kindred bodies and 
civic organizations, and representatives of all branches of the 
National Government, and the Governors of States and their 
staffs. 

"The public had been astir early, and the streets were 
crowded with people. Wire cables strung along the entire route 
of march from the White House to the Capitol, kept it clear for 
the funeral procession. 

" At precisely 9 o'clock a silent command was given, and the 
body bearers silently and reverently raised to their stalwart 
shoulders the casket containing all that was mortal of the illus- 
trious dead. They walked with slow, cadence step, and, as they 
appeared at the main door of the White House, the Marine Band, 
stationed on the avenue opposite the mansion, struck up the 
hymn the dead President loved so well, " Nearer, My God, to 



ti^Q IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL 

Thee." There was perfect silence throughout the big mansion, 
and as the last sad strain of the music died away the throng in 
the building lifted their heads, but their ej^es were wet. 

" As the hearse moved away, the mourners from the White 
House entered carriages and followed the body on its march to 
the Capitol, where the funeral services were to be held. It was 
thought early in the morning that Mrs. McKinley might feel 
strong enough to attend the services there,but it was finally decided 
that it would be imprudent to tax her vitalit}- more than was 
absolutely necessary, and so she concluded to remain in her room 
under the immediate care of Dr. Rixey, Mrs. Barber, her sister, 
and her niece, Miss Barber. 

BUGLE SOUNDED "MARCH." 

" Slowly down the White House driveway, through a fine 
drizzling rain, the solemn cortege wound its way down to the gate 
leading to the avenue, and halted. Then with a grand solemn 
swing the artillery band began the ' Dead March from Saul,' a 
blast from a bugle sounded ' march ' and the head of the proces- 
sion was moving on its way to the Capitol. The casket in a black, 
carved hearse and drawn by six coal black horses, caparisoned in 
black net with trailing tassels and a stalwart groom at the head 
of each, moved down through the gateway and came to a stand 
alongside of the moving procession. 

'* Major General John R. Brooke was at the head of the line, 
mounted on a splendid charger. Behind him came his aides, the 
red coated artillery band, a squadron of cavalry with red and 
white guidons limp in the damp air, a battery of field artillery, 
with the men sitting straight and stiff as statues, a company of 
engineers, two battalions of coast artillery and a detachment of 
thfc hospital corps. Then came the naval contingent of the first 
section, headed by the Marine Band, who were followed by a bat- 
talion of marines and one of sailors from the North Atlantic squad- 
ron, very picturesque and strong. 

" As the National Guard of the District of Columbia brought 
up the rear of the first section of the parade, the civic section cf 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. 



337 



the procession marched into line. It was under command of Gen- 
eral Henry V. Boynton as Chief Marshal, and comprised detach- 
ments from the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Regular 
Army and Navy Union, the Union Veteran Legion, the Spanish 
War Veterans and the Grand Army of the Republic, As these 
veterans of the Civil War passed the waiting hearse wheeled 
slowly into line, the guards of honor from the arni}^ and navy took 
up positions on either side of the hearse, and the funeral cortege 
proper took its appointed place behind a delegation of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

" Close behind the hearse came a carriage in which were 
seated ex-President Grover Cleveland, Rear Admiral Robley D. 
Evans and General John Wilson. In a carriage drawn by four 
fine black horses coming next were President Roosevelt, Mrs. 
Roosevelt and Commander W. S. Cowles, the President's brother- 
in-law. Then followed a line of carriages bearing all the members 
of the Cabinet, a number of ex-members and behind them the 
diplomatic corps. 

BETWEEN SILENT THRONGS. 

"Solemnly the funeral party wound down past the Treasury 
Building and into the broad sweep of Pennsylvania avenue amid 
a profound silence that was awful to those who only six months 
ago had witnessed the enthusiastic plaudits which greeted the 
dead man as he made the same march to assume for a second 
time the honors and burdens of the Presidential office. 

" The artillery band played a solemn dirge as it with slow 
steps led the sorrowful way down the avenue. All the militar}^ 
organizations carried their arms, but with colors draped and furled. 
The crowds were silent. All were sad, mournful and oppressive. 
The people stood with heads uncovered, and many bowed in 
apparently silent praj^er as the hearse passed along. A slow 
drizzling rain was falling. 

" After the carriages, in which were the diplomats, followed 
a long line of others containing the Justices of the Supreme Court, 
the Senate and House committees appointed to attend the funeral, 

22 McK 



S38 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. - . 

the local judiciary, tlie assistant secretaries of the several execu- 
tive departments, members of the various Government commis- 
jions and official representatives of the insular governments. 

"The remainder of the procession was composed of a large 
representation of local bodies of Knights Templar, over looo 
members of the Grand Army of the Republic, the United Con- 
federate Veterans of the city of Washington and of Alexandria, 
Va., various religious and patriotic societies, including the Sons 
of the American Revolution, secret societies and labor organiza' 
tions of the city. Scattered here and there at intervals were rep- 
resentatives of out-of-town organizations, including the Ohio 
Republican Club, the Republican Club of New York city, the 
New York Italian Chamber of Commerce and of the New York 
Board of Trade and Transportation, the New York Democratic 
Honest Money League and the Southern Manufacturers' Club of 
Charlotte, N. C. 

THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PROCESSION. 

*' The Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of which Presi- 
dent McKinley was an honored member, with a representation from 
the New York and Pennsylvania Commanderies, formed a con- 
spicuous part in this procession, as also did the Knights Templar 
of this city and of Alexandria, Va., and a battalion of the uniform 
rank Knights of Pythias. The full force of the letter carriers of 
Washington, each with a band of black crepe on his arm, walked 
to the solemn tread of the dirge. 

"At IO.I2 o'clock the head of the procession arrived at the 
north end of the Capitol plaza, but instead of swinging directly 
into the plaza and passing in front of the Capitol, as usually is 
done on the occasion of Presidential inaugurations, the military 
contingent passed eastward on B street, thence south on First 
treet. East. Headed by Major-General John R. Brooke and 
otaff and the Fifth Artillery Corps Band, the troops swept around 
to the south end of the plaza, and then marched to position front- 
ing the main entrance to the Capitol. As soon as they had been 
formed at rest, the artillery baud on the left and the Marine Band 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL 839 

on the right of the entrance, the funeral cortege, with its guard 
of honor, entered the plaza from the north. As the hearse halted 
in front of the main staircase the troops, responding to almost 
whispered commands, presented arms. 

"The guard of honor ascended the steps, the naval officers 
on the right and the army of&cers on the left, forming a cordon 
on each side, just within the ranks of the artillerymen, seamen 
and marines. 

" As the eight sturd}^ bod^'-bearers, four from the armv and 
four from the navy, tenderly drew the flag-draped casket from the 
hearse, the band sweetly wailed the pleading notes of 'Nearer, 
My God, to Thee.' Every head in the vast attendant throng was 
bared. Tear bedimmed eyes were raised to Heaven and a silent 
prayer went up from the thousands of hearts. With careful and 
solemn tread the body-bearers began the ascent of the staircase 
with theii precious burden, and tenderly bore it to the catafalque 
in the rotunda." 

UNPRECEDENTED DISPLAY OF MOURNING. 

The display of mourning for the death of President McKin- 
ley was one of the most remarkable demonstrations that this 
country has ever witnessed. The testimony of regret and sorrow 
for the late Chief jMagistrate, and the expression of detestation for 
the hateful blow which removed him from a post of usefulness, 
were universal and sincere. The evidences of genuine deep 
sorrow were apparent on every hand, in ever}- city and hamlet in 
the land, and grief at the cruel blow penetrated every patriotic 
household, a:nd affected every right-minded man in the country. 

The emblems of mourning which are displayed in profusion 
on business houses, private dwellings, public buildings and at all 
the haunts of men were not merely the trappings of woe — the 
sign of a perfunctory observance of the decencies and proprieties 
of the occasion. They were the eager, voluntary, true expressions 
of the feeling everywhere prevalent. There probably never was 
a more genuine, spontaneous national outburst of emotion. In 
this wonderful expression of feeling great influence is undoubt- 



840 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOIL. 

edly exerted by the character and traits of the gentle man, who 
possessed a singularly winning and healthy nature, and exempli- 
fied in his life the wholesome and admirable Christian virtues 
which are the real safeguards of a nation. 

The manner and circumstance of his taking off ; the infamous 
character and the deliberate, malignant, base method of the 
inhuman assassin ; the innocence of the victim, which should 
have rendered him safe from attack, and the fine and noble bear- 
ing of the sufferer when the inevitable end came — all conspired 
to awaken the best sentiments of the whole country. But in 
addition to all of these contributing causes to the universal 
expression of grief, there was a cause for indignation and sorrow 
of equal force. An enemy to free government aimed a blow at 
the Republic and struck down the Chief who was the choice of 
the people. 

THE WHOLE PEOPLE ATTACKED. 

A malignant attack was made upon the whole people ia the 
person of the Chief Magistrate who represented in his higli office 
the majest}^ power and dignity of the nation, and, consciously or 
unconsciously, all citizens throughout the land were not onl\^ 
expressing their grief and sorrow at the grievous blow which had 
fallen upon a good and true man, but were showing their detesta- 
tion of a foul blow directed against the Republic, and cftering the 
strongest testimony of their unalterable devotion to that Govern- 
ment, by "and for the people, which was never more strongly 
entrenched in the hearts of its people than it is to-day. 

From an observer of the great demonstration at the Capitol 
we furnish the reader with the following graphic account : 

" Washington, curiously composite city as to its humanity, is 
used to public spectacle. It is as much a part of its life to-day as 
it must have been with the temple cities of Egypt, three thousand 
years ago. Now it is an inauguration, now the departure of great 
ones, now the home-coming of victors, now a funeral. It has, in 
fact, the parade habit, and consequently its emotions are some- 
what blunted by overweai. 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. d41 

" But it always can be counted on for enough of feeling to 
make the meaning of its presence on the streets seem real. On 
either side of the portico are masses of votive wreaths and flowers 
in every form to give color to the eye and perfume to the air. 
Officers of the arm}^ and navy are ascending the steps and greet- 
ing each other decorously. 

" Admiral Dewey, in his full uniform, bland of face and light 
of movement, stops to talk with the swarth}^ Rear Admiral 
Crownin shield, and the tall form of Rear Admiral Bradford joins 
the group. Melville, Rear Admiral, too, shows his long woolly 
white hair and beard. And Rear Admiral O'Neill, clean cut of 
face and figure, is greeting Rear Admiral Watson, a small, clean 
shaven man. General Otis, tall, ruddy faced, and General 
Gillespie, of fine figure and white mustache, are having a word. 
It strikes one that all our generals and admirals are on in 3'-ears, 
and one thinks of the days of '64 and '65, when the great com- 
manders were men in the early forties and under. Among the 
major generals there is Fitzhugh Lee, stout, stalwart, but aging. 

POTENTATES, FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS. 

''The waiting catafalque in the centre, beneath the dome, 
one notes on entering, is set about with chairs in segments of the 
circle, eight segments, with about one hundred chairs in each. 
A small harmonium is near the head of the catafalque, which, on 
a low back platform, stands about two feet high. It is draped in 
black cloth, and all around are great pieces of flowers from foreign 
potentates, from States and cities, from friends and admirers. 

"The import of the scene is heavy in the larger sense on 
each one gathering there, but the spell of it is not so deep as it 
was at Buffalo, where the personal feeling was fresher and deeper. 
The men here have seen great tragedies and great struggles, and 
were part of them. The whispered talk turned mostly to the 
event, but often turned away as we waited there, and this was 
natural, and is set down so as to truly mirror the event. The 
tragedies of history, the great tragedies, move in their vast 
solemnity without reference to the seriousness or want o^ it in 



%4Si IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. 

the minor details. Then this was something in a sense spec- 
tacular, and we are not good at spectacles. 

" It is lo o'clock and the chairs are filling. After well known 
faces appear ' Fighting Bob' Evans shows his shrewd face among 
the naval men. A handful of Senators come from the Senate 
Chamber — only six at first, though others drift in later. Senator 
Allison, gray bearded, looking like a mild version of General 
Grant ; Senator Clapp, of Minnesota, with his likeness to the 
strong faced John A. Logan ; Senator Cullom, of Illinois, rough 
bearded, but shaven of the upper lip, in the style of i860 ; Senator 
Nelson, lumbering and rustic looking. After them comes former 
Senator Gorman, of Maryland, clear of eye, sharp of outline and 
lithe of movement. General Alger and his wife have come in, 
and with tlicm former Postmaster-General Gary. 

WOMEN IN FULL MOURNING. 

" Women are drifting quietly in through many doors, all 
mostly in full mourning or wearing black hats and skirts, with 
white waist and a very chic crepe band and bow on the left arm 
above the elbow. The Rev. Mr. Powers, who preached the fun- 
eral sermon at Garfield's funeral here, a man of pale minis- 
terial face with a small white mustache, is seated with his 
memories. 

" A delegation of the House of Representatives comes in. 
'Joe ' Cannon, with his knotty face and chin whisker ; Amos J. 
Cnmmiugs, whose eyes are bright as ever, but whose mustache is 
whitening ; Hopkins, of the Ways and Means, reddish and alert 
and much chatted to. Whitelaw Reid, former Miuistcr to France, 
thoughtful looking, comes in slowly, Bishop Satterlee is seated 
beside an army man. 

" Around runs a whisper, for Grover Cleveland, twice Presi- 
dent of the United States and the only living former President, 
is entering. He looks well and slightly tanned, something thin- 
ner than when he was at thi White House, and also showing the 
m.arch of whitening time. He sits beside Rear Admiral Robley 
1> Evanse Whispers run that Cleveland in all his eight years 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL 343 

was constantly on the lookout for assassination when he was out 
of doors. 

"At twenty minutes to eleven o'clock a bugle call is heard in 
the court without. It is evidently a signal, for almost simul- 
taneously the active heads of the government enter. President 
Roosevelt, with Mrs. Roosevelt, in deep mourning, on his arm, 
and his son and two daughters following, head the Hue, Mrs. 
Roosevelt walks with sympathetically bowed head, her coming a 
woman's gracious tribute to the widow of her husband's pre- 
decessor. The Cabinet, headed b}^ Secretaries Hay and Gage, 
Vv'ith Secietary Root and Attorney General Knox follow. 

THE SECRETARY OF STATE. 

" Mr. Ha}^ looks white and far from strong, but evidently 
steeling himself for a ceremony certain to bring his own recent 
bereavement — the loss of his son — painfully before him. His 
dark beard, Math its powdering of white, his parted hair and 
glasses give him a stern, autocratic look, far from his bearing of 
the moment. Abner McKinley, very pale, poor man ! and leading 
his wife, heads the family party from the White House, where 
Mrs. McKinley remains for the afternoon— her last in the home 
of the Presidents. Senator Hanna, still pale and shaken, is with 
the family party. 

"There is a breath of music, the music of the oft-played 
hymn, heard from without, a ring of feet on the marble pavement, 
and the guard of honor enter from the east porch, followed by the 
eight men bearing the late President's coffin, now wholly co veered 
with an American flag, on which are piles of beautiful white roses. 
Slowly the bearers turn and lay their burden down, the head to 
the west and the feet to the rising sun. 

"While the attendants are arranging matters about the 
catafalque, the Ambassadors, Ministers and attaches of the for- 
eign legations enter, two and two, their bright uniforms give an 
extra dash of color to the gathering. Senor Aspiroz, the Me-lican 
Minister, his dark uniform coat, a perfect dazzle of gold lace, dark 
skinned and strong faced, gazes sympathetically about. The 



3J44 IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL: 

Turkish and English attaches give vivid reds and greens to the 

picture. 

" Minister Wu, in his Chinese garb, beams kindl}^ over his 

spectacles. He comes from a land where sudden deaths have been 

much enforced of late. He wears a black faced, conical cap, with 

a scarlet crown and a gold button on the top. The Spanish and 

Portuguese Ministers are in diplomatic uniforms, heavily laced 

witli gold. 

THE SOUTH FULLY REPRESENTED. 

" Still people are coming. Senator Tillman, General Jere- 
miah Wilson and General lyongstreet, of Confederate fame, are 
entering, and there is the new Acting Vice-President, William B. 
Frye, of Maine, his mild blue eyes blinking in the light. He has 
an earnest face and an appealing expression- Mrs. Garret A. 
Hobart and her son are seated close together. James G. Blaine, Jr., 
and his wife are there. Senator Chauncey M. Depew and 
Senator Piatt, of New York, are across the aisle. With the 
former is J. Pierpont Morgan. They chat earnestly, Stephen B. 
Elkins and Senator Cockrell are noted, but one would have to call 
a ver}^ long roll to tell of them all. 

" At a few minutes before eleven the double quartet near the 
harmonium sang ' Lead, Kindly Light.' With fine clearness of 
tone the Rev. Henry R. Naylor, presiding elder of the Methodist 
Church, led in a heartfelt prayer, only a word or two of which 
reached mortal ears at any distance from the speaker on account 
of the mocking echoes from the dome. 

" Then Mrs. Thomas C. Noyes, of Washington, sang, with a 
soprano voice of great clearness, volume and wide range, the hymn 
'Some Time We'll Understand.' Mrs. Noyes sang with great 
feeling and effect, bringing tears to the eyes of not a few. She 
made a pretty picture, dressed in black and w^earing a picture hat, 
with loug black feather, and a high lace collar of a square cut 
Nervous for the first few notes, as well she might be, her face 
as she went on became a study of ingenuous earnestness while 
her clear notes ran like birds diving on high above our heads. 
. "Bishop Andrews, of the Methodist Church, followed in an 



IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT THE CAPITOL. 34,', 

address tliat lasted some fifteen minutes. He was fluent and 
earnest, and looked very like Senator Hoar, but tlie baffling 
echoes once more took up tlie discourse, and, exaggerating what 
may be called the ministerial tone of the prelate, produced a 
strange effect. After the singing of ' Nearer, My God, to Thee,' 
in which nearly all present joined in subdued tone, producing a 
touching effect, a brief blessing was given by the Rev. W. H. 
Chapman. With extended hands and uplifted eyes he prayed for 
mercy and peace and light, and so the service came to an end. 

" Not many minutes had passed before all had departed save 
the guard, under the charge of Colonel Bingham. The attend- 
ants rearranged the chamber for the popular view of the remains. 
The chairs disappeared, except a line each side from east to west. 
On these were laid the floral offerings. When, therefore, the lid 
had been lifted from the head of the coffin the people passed 
between a lane of costly flowers, each of which told a tale. 

" Looking out upon the multitude now waiting under a 
drizzling rain, it seemed as if there were fifty thousand umbrellas 
in sight where a short time before a flower bed of humanit}^ met 
the view. There was much crowding and pushing a while, but at 
length it was straightened out and the stream kept flowing through 
the hall until the time came, with the evening lights, to close the 
coffin lid to Washington forever." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Eloquent Eulogy on the Dead President — Floral Offerings^ 
Great Crush to View the Remains — Distinguished Pex- 
sons Present. 

THE funeral services at tlie Capitol over the remains of th^ 
late President McKinley were simple and beautiful. They 
were of the form prescribed in the Methodist Church. Two 
hymns, a prayer, an address and a benediction comprised all of 
it ; yet the impression left at the end was of perfection. 

The people were slow in gathering. Among the first comers 
were the armj'- officers. General Randolph, Chief of Artillery, 
and in charge of the military arrangements at the Capitol, was 
first among these, and soon afterwards came General Gillespie, 
Chief of Engineers, and General Fitzhugh Lee. Soon the num- 
ber of officers became too great to distinguish between them, and 
the rotunda began to light up with dashes of gold lace and gilt 
buttons and flashing sword scabbards, scattered through the 
soberly dressed crowd of civilians. 

Before lo o'clock the latter had assembled in such numbers 
as to fill the greater part of the seating space not reserved for the 
persons in the funeral procession, who were to enter the rotunda. 

Just at ID o'clock Admiral Dewey made his appearance, ac- 
companied by General Otis, General Davis and General Ruggles. 
He glanced over the scene within, and then took up his station at 
the eastern entrance, where he was joined by the other members 
of the guard of honor. 

IVIrs. Hobart, with her son, and Mrs. Russell A. Alger, 
escorted by Colonel Hecker, also entered during this time of waiting. 
The clergymen and the choir, the latter from the Metropolitan 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which Mr. McKinlc}^ attended, filed 
in, and were seated at the head of the catafalque. At twenty 
minutes to ii o'clock the Cabinet entered, and were seated to the 

343 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 347 

soiitli of the platform ; and then to the strains of * 'Nearer, My 

God, To Thee," by the Marine Band outside, the casket was 

borne into the rotunda. General Gillespie and Colonel Bingham 

led the wa}^, and every one arose. The guard of honor on either 

side separated, and the casket was placed gently upon the 

catafalque. 

THE FAMILY GROUP. 

Next came members of the family of the deceased, Abner 
McKinley leading. They were seated near the head of the casket. 
Mrs. McKinley was not present. Senator Hanna was with the 
family party. Next the diplomatic corps entered, all in full 
court regalia, and were seated to the south. Former President 
Cleveland, with General Wilson, his escort, sat in the first row. 

Lastly came President Roosevelt, escorted by Captain Cowles, 
and preceded by Mr. Cortelyou, secretary to the President. He 
was given a seat at the end of the row occupied by the Cabinet, 
just south of the casket. Mr. Roosevelt's face was set, and he 
appeared to be restraining his emotions with difficulty. 

When the noise occasioned by seating the late com-^TS had 
ceased a hush fell upon the people, and then the choir softly sang 
" Lead, Kindly Light," Cardinal Newman's divine anthem, while 
every one stood in reverence. 

At the conclusion of the hymn Rev. Dr. Henry R. Naylor, 
Presiding Elder of the Washington District of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, delivered the invocation, while the distinguished 
company listened with bowed heads. Dr. Naylor said : 

"Oh, Lord God, our Heavenly Father, a bereaved nation 
Cometh to Thee in its deep sorrow ; to whom can we go in such 
an hour as this but unto Thee. Thou only art able to comfort 
and support the afflicted. 

" Death strikes down the tallest and best of men, and conse- 
quent changes are continually occurring among nations and 
communities. But we have been taught that Thou art the same 
yesterday, to-day and forever ; that with Thee there is no variable, 
ness nor the least shadow of turning. So in the midst of our griel 
we turn to Thee for help. 



848 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWa 

*'We ^liank Thee, O, Lord, tliat years ago Thou didst give 
unto this Nation a inau whose loss we mourn to-day. We thank 
Thee for the pure and unselfish life he was enabled to live in the 
midst of so eventful an experience. We thank Thee for the faith- 
ful and distinguished services which he was enabled to render to 
Thee, to our Country and to the world. 

*' We bless Thee for such a citizen, for such a lawmaker, for 
such a Governer, for such a President, for such a husband, for 
such a Christian example and for a friend. 

*' But, O, Lord, we deplore our loss to-day ; sincerely implore 
Thy sanctifying benediction. We pray Thee for that dear one who 
has been walking by his side through the years, sharing his tri- 
umphs and partaking of his sorrows. Give to her all needed 
sustenance and the comfort her stricken heart so greatly craves. 
And under the shadow of this great calamity may she learn, as 
never before, the Fatherhood of God, and the matchless character 
of His sustaining grace. 

PRAYER FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT. 

"And, O, Lord, we sincerely pray for him upon whom the 
mantle of Presidential authorit}^ has so suddenly and unexpectedly 
fallen. Help him to walk worthy the high vocation whereunto he 
has been called. He needs Thy guiding hand and Thy inspiring 
spirit continually. May he always present to the nation and to the 
'vorld divinely illumined judgment, a brave heart and an unsul- 
lied character. 

" Hear our prayer, O, Lord, for the of&cial family of the 
Administration, those men who are associated with Thy servant, 
the President, in the administration of the affairs of government • 
guide them in all their deliberations, to the nation's welfare and 
the glory of God. 

"And now, Lord, we humbly pray for Thy blessing and con 
solation to come to all the people of our land and nation. Forgive 
our pant shortcomings, our sins of omission as well as our sins o^ 
commission. Help us to make the Golden Rule the standard of 
our lives, that we may 'do unto others as we would have them do 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS, 34« 

unto US,' and thus become, indeed, a people whose God is the 
Lord. 

"These things we humbly ask in the name of Him ulio 
taught us, when we pray, to say: 'Our Father, which ait in 
heaven, Htillowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will 
be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that tres- 
pass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, 
forever. Amen.' " 

MOST EFFECTIVE MUSIC. 

As the pastor ceased, the voices of the choir swelled forth 
and the rich, pure soprano notes of Mrs. Thomas C. Noyes led the 
hymn, "Sometime We'll Understand." The music w^as remarka- 
bly effective and touching as the notes came back in soft echoes 
from the fulness of the dome overhead. As soon as the hymn 
ceased, Bishop Edward G. Andrews, of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, who had come from Ohio to say the last words over the 
remains of his lifelong friend and parishioner, arose. He stood at 
the head of the casket and spoke in sympathetic voice, and with 
many evidences of deep emotion. The acoustic qualities of the 
rotunda do not favor such addresses, and, although the bishop spoke 
in clear and firm tones, the rippling echoes from all sides made it 
diffiicult for those a short distance from him to catch his words, 
The bishop said: 

" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Who of His 
abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by 
the resurrection of Christ from the dead, to an inheritance uncor- 
ruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven 
for us, by the power of God through faith unto salvation, read] 
to be revealed in the last time. 

" The services for the dead are fitly and almost of necessity 
services of religion and of immortal hope. In the presence of the 
shroud and the coffin and the narrow home, questions concerning 
iutellectual quality, concerning public station, concerning 



350 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS, 

great achievements, sink into comparative insignificance, and 
questions concerning character and man's relation to the Lord 
and Giver of life, even the life eternal, emerge co our view 
a.nd impress themselves upon us. 

" Character abides. We bring nothing into this world, we can 
carry nothing out. We, ourselves, depart with all the accumulations 
of tendency and habit and quality which the j^ears have given to us. 
We ask, therefore, even at the grave of the illustrious, not altogether 
what great achievement they had performed,!and how they had com- 
mended themselves to the memory and affection or respect of the 
world, but chiefly of what sort they were, what the interior nature 
of the man was, what were his af&nities. Were they with the 
good, the truth, the noble ? What his relation to the infinite Lord 
of the universe and to the compassionate Savior of mankind ; 
what his fitness for that great hereafter to which he had passed. 

HIS HIGH ACHIEVEMENTS. 

"And such great questions come to us with moment, even in 
the hour when we gather around the bier of those whom we pro- 
foundly respect and eulogize and whom we tenderly love. In the 
years to come, the days and the months that lie immediately 
before us, will give full utterance as to the high statesmanship 
and great achievements of the illustrious man whom we mourn 
to-day. We shall not touch them to-day. The nation already has 
broken out in its grief and poured its tears, and is still pouring 
them, over the loss of a beloved man. It is well. But we ask 
this morning of what sort this man is, so that we may, perhaps, 
knowing the moral and spiritual life that is past, be able to shape 
the far- with drawing future. 

" I think w^e must all concede that nature and training, and, 
reverently be it said, the inspiration of the Almighty con- 
spired to conform a man admirable in his moral temper and aims. 
We, none of us can doubt, I think, that even by nature he was 
eminently gifted. The kindly, calm and equitable temperament, 
the kindly and generous heart, the love of justice and right, and 
the tendency toward faith and loyalty to unseen powers and 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 851 

authorities these thiugs iiiusl have been with him from his 
childhood, from his infancy ; but upon them supervened the 
training, for which he was always tenderly thankful, and of which 
even this great nation, from sea to sea, continually has taken 
note. 

" It was an humble home in which he was born. Narrow con- 
ditions were around him ; but faith in God had lifted that lowly 
roof, according to the statement of some great writer, up to the 
very heavens and permitted its inmates to behold the things 
eternal, immortal and divine; and he came under that training. 

HIS FILIAL AFFECTION. 

"It is a beautiful thing that to the end of his life he bent 
reverently before that mother whose example and teaching and 
prayer had so fashioned his mind and all his aims. The school 
came but briefly, and then came to him the Church with a minis- 
tration of power. He accepted the truth which it taught. He 
believed in God and in Jesus Christ, through whom God was 
revealed. He accepted the divine law of the Scripture ; he based 
his hope on Jesus Christ, the appointed and only Redeemer of 
men ; and the Church, beginning its operation upon his character 
at an early period of his life, continued even to its close to mould 
him. He w^aited attentively upon its ministrations. 

" He gladly partook with his brethren of the symbols of 
mysterious passion and redeeming love of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
He was helpful in all those beneficences and activities ; and from 
the Church, to the close of his life, he received inspiration that 
lifted him above much of the trouble and weakness incident to 
our human nature, and blessings be to God, may w^e say, in the 
last and final hour they enabled him confidently, tenderly to say, 
'It is His Will, not ours, that will be done.' 

" Such influences gave to us William McKinley. And what 
was he ? A man of incorruptible personal and political integrity. 
I suppose no one ever attempted to approach him in the way of a 
bribe ; and we remember, with great felicitation at this time for 
such an example to ourselves, that when great financial difficult 



352 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

ties and perils encompassed him, lie determined to deliver all iifc 
possessed to his creditors, that there should be no challenge of his 
perfect honesty in the matter. A man of immaculate purity, shall 
we say ? No stain was upon his escutcheon ; no syllable of sus- 
picion that I ever heard was whispered against his character. He 
walked in perfect and noble self-control. 

'• Beyond that, this man has somehow wrought in him — I 
suppose upon the foundations of a very happily constructed 
nature — a great and generous love for his fellow men. Ke 
believed in men. He had himself been brought up among the 
common people. He knew their labors, struggles^ necessities. 
He loved them ; but I think beyond that it was to the Church 
and its teachings concerning the Fatherhood of God and universal 
brotherhood of man that he was indebted for that habit of kind- 
ness, for that generosity of spirit, that was wrought into his ver}^ 
substance and became him sc that, though he was of all men most 
courteous, no one ever supposed but that courtesy was from the 

heart. 

A MAN OF LARGE HEART. 

" It was spontaneous, unaffected, kindly, attractive, in a most 
iminent degree. What he was m the narrower circle of those 
to whom he was personally attached, I think he was also in the 
greatness of his comprehensive love toward the race of which he 
was a part. If any man had been lifted up to take into his pur- 
view and desire to help all classes and conditions of men, all 
nationalities beside his own, it was this man. Shall I speak a 
word next of that which I will hardly avert to — the tenderness of 
that domestic love, which has so often been commented upon ? I 
pass it with only that word. I take it that no words can set forth 
fully the unfaltering kindness and carefulness and upbearing love 
which belonged to this great man. 

" And he was a man who believed in right ; who had. a pro- 
found conviction that the courses of this world must be ordered 
in accordance with everlasting righteousness, or this world's 
highest point of good will never be reached ; that no nation can 
expect success in life except as it conforms to the eternal love of 



KULOGV BY lUSHOi' ANDREWS. 353 

tlie infinite Lord, and places itself in individual and collective 
activity according to the Divine will. It was deeply ingrained 
in him that righteousness was the perfection of any man and of 
any people. 

" Simplicity belonged to him. I need not dwell upon it, and 
I close the statement of these qualities by saying, that, under- 
lying all and overreaching all, and penetrating all, there was a 
profound loyalty to God, the great King of the universe, the 
author of all good, the eternal hope of all that trust in Him. 

PATIENT AND THOROUGH. 

" And now, may I say, further, that it seemed to me that to 
whatever we may attribute all the illustriousness of this man, 
all the greatness of his achievements ; whatever of that we may 
attribute to his intellectual character and quality ; whatever of it 
we may attribute to the patient and thorough study which he 
gave to the various questions thrust upon him for attention ; fot 
all his successes as a politician, as a statesman, as a man of this 
great country, those successes were largely due to the moral 
qualities of which I have spoken. 

'' They drew to him the hearts of man everywhere, and par- 
ticularly of those who best knew him. They called to his side 
helpers in every exigency of his career, so that, when his future 
was at one time likely to have been imperiled and utterly ruined 
by his financial conditions, they who had resources, for the sake 
of helping a man who had in him such qualities, came to his side 
and put him on the high road of additional and larger success. 
His high qualities drew to him the good will of his associates in 
political life in an eminent degree. They believed in him, felt 
his kindness, confided in his honest}^ and in his honor. 

" His qualities even associated with him in kindly relations 
those who were political opponents. They made it possible for 
him to enter that land with which he, as one of the soldiers of the 
Union, had been in some sort of war, and to draw closer the tie 
that was to bind all the parts in one firmer and indissoluble 
union. They commanded the confidence of the great body of 



354 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

Congress, so that tbey listened to his plans and accepted kindly 
and hopefully and trustfully all his declarations. 

" His qualities gave him reputation, not in this land alone 
but throughout the world, and made it possible for him to minister 
in the style in which he has within the last two or three years 
ministered to the welfare and peace of human kind. It was out 
of the profound depths of his moral and religious character that 
came the possibilities of that usefulness which we are all glad to- 
attribute to him. 

" And will such a man die ? Is it possible that He who 
created, redeemed, transformed, uplifted, illumined such a man 
will permit him to fall into oblivion ? The instincts of morality 
are in all good men. The divine word of the Scripture leaves us 
no room for doubt. 'I', said one whom he trusted, 'am the 
resurrection and the life. He that believeth in Me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth 
in Me shall never die.' 

LOST ONLY TO EARTH. 

"Lost to us, but not to his God. Lost from earth, but 
entered heaven. Lost from these labors and toils and perils, but 
entered into the everlasting peace and ever advancing progress. 
Blessed be God, who gives us this hope in this hour of calamity 
and enables us to triumph, through Him who hath redeemed us. 

"If there is a personal immortality before him, let us also 
rejoice that there is an immortality and memory in the hearts of 
a large and ever growing people, who, through the ages to come, 
the generations that are yet to be, will look back upon this life, 
upon its nobility and purity and service to humanity, and thank 
God for it. The years draw on when his name shall be counted 
among the illustrious of the earth. William of Orange is not 
dead. Cromwell is not dead. Washington lives in the hearts 
and lives of his countrymen. Lincoln, with his infinite sorrow, 
lives to teach us and lead us on. And McKinley shall summon 
all statesmen and all his countrymen to purer living, nobler aims, 
sweeter faith and immortal blessedness." 



lULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 865 

The address lasted only a bare quarter of an liomr. As the 
bishop concluded every one in the vast rotunda rose, and the 
choir, intoning the air, hundreds of voices joined in the grand 
old hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." 

It was an affecting moment. In the midst of the singing 
Admiral Robley D. Evans, advancing with silent tread, placed a 
beautiful blue floral cross at the foot of the casket. 

The last notes died away softly, and, with uplifted hands, 
the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Dr. W. H. Chapman, 
acting pastor of the Metropolitan Church. This ended the 
religious service. 

THE COMPANY RETIRE. 

There was a pause for a few minutes while the ushers cleared 
the aisles and the assemblage began to withdraw. First to retire 
was President Roosevelt, and as he entered so he left, preceded a 
short distance by Major McCawley and Captain Gilmore. with 
Colonel Bingham and Captain Cowles almost pressing against 
him. The remainder of the company retired in the order in 
which they entered, the Cabinet members following the President, 
and after them going the Diplomatic Corps, the Supreme Court, 
Senators and Representatives, officers of the army and n»vy and 
officials of lesser degree. 

Absolutely no attempt had been made to drape the interior of 
the vabi: rotunda, and save for the black structure in the centre 
and a small organ, and the floral pieces set against the walls 
beneath the eight historical paintings, the place presented its 
usual aspect before the services began, and there was littl* to 
encourage the half dozen photograghers who were early at the 
Capitol in their efforts to perpetuate the scene at that stage. 

The catafalque was exceedingly simple in design. An oblong 
platform, about nine by twelve feet, and raised but six inches 
above the floor, supported the bier, which was the same plain, 
strong structure that has been used at the Capitol since Lincoln's 
day for state funerals. New, rich black broadcloth covered it 
completely, as well as the platform and a small reading stand, 



866 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

and tlie only signs of ornamentation about it were the lieav}'' black 
tassels and the artistic drapery of the cloth. The catafalque 
occupied the centre of a circle of perhaps forty feet in diameter. 
At the point was placed a circular row of cane-seated chairs and a 
dozen of such rows sufficed to fill out the space remaining in the 
rotunda, excepting the four broad aislcb running toward the cardi- 
nal points of the compass. 

The floral offerings were many and beautiful in design. Con- 
spicuous among the many pieces was the great white shield of 
immortelles, six feet in height, bearing the inscription in purple 
flowers : "Tribute from the army in the Philippines," above the 
Eighth Army Corps insignia, in red and blue. 

OFFERING OF WHITE ROSES. 

As many white roses as were the years of the dead President 
was the offering of Colonel Bingham and the White House em- 
ployes. A beautiful simple wreath of laurel came from the 
Nineteenth Ward Republican Committee of St. Louis. A splen- 
did sheaf of palms, with broad purple white ribbons, and sur- 
rounded by a laurel sheath, came from the sister Republic of 
Guatemala. 

The Chinese residents of Philadelphia sent a tall white shaft 
of flowers, with a purple ribbon bearing the words : " Our friend 
at rest," and some quaint Chinese characters in gold. A beautiful 
wreath of purple orchids, filled in the centre with spreading 
palms, bore on a silver plate this inscription : " To the mc>rmor\'' 
of William McKinle}^, President of the United States, whose 
noble character and Republican virtues will leave behind an ever- 
lasting trace in the history of the American world. Julio A. 
Roca, President of the Argentine Republic," 

Lilies of the valley and oak leaves, wrought into a wreath, 
represented Hayti's gift, and crossed palms, with a card bearing 
the one word, "Sympathy," came from Mrs. John Addison 
Porter. 

The Richmond City Council sent a magnificent tribute in 
the shape of a mammoth wreath of red roses and ivy leaves, tied 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. M7 

with the national colors. Light Batten^ A, Philadelphia artillery, 
also sent a green wreath, embedded with orchids, and the Loyal 
Legion remembered " Companion William McKinley " through a 
vast wreath of lilies and roses. Columbia's tribute came through 
Minister Silva, in the shape of a great cluster of palm and purple 
immortelles, and nearly every inch of wall space carried like 
offerings. One of the most effective of these was the wreath of' 
palms and orchids from Mrs. Garret A. Hobart, herself not long 
since bereaved. 

The opening of the doors of the rotunda of the Capitol, in 
order to permit an inspection of the remains of President McKin- 
ley, caused a rush of the vast throng that^had been congregated on 
the east side of the building since early morning. The result 
was that many women and children were badly hurt. The crowd 
brushed by the police cordon, stationed at the foot of the steps, as 
if it had been chaff. A terrible congestion on the Capitol steps 
and at the entrance door followed. 

GREAT PRESSURE FROM THE CROWD. 

At the latter point there was such extreme pressure that 
numbers of women fainted. Many who thus became helpless 
were lifted up bodily and carried out over the heads of the crowd, 
while others, less fortunate, were trampled under foot and seri- 
ously bruised. Of the latter, twelve or fifteen were taken into 
the Capitol. The room immediately under the rotunda, where the 
President's remains lay in calm and peaceful repose, was a tem- 
porary hospital, filled with screaming women, h'ing prone upon 
improvised couches. 

One of them had a broken arm and another had suffered 
internal injuries, which caused excruciating pain. The office of 
the Captain of Police also was used to accommodate the injured, 
as were several other places about the building. It is estimated 
that no fewer than fifty women and children were injured to some 
extent, but most of them were able to go to their homes. A few 
were taken to the Emergenc}^ Hospital. 

As soon as the rotunda was cleared of those who had been 



358 " EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

invited to attend tlie religious services, tlie bier was prepared for 
the inspection of the general public. The floral offerings which 
covered the coffin were put aside and the lid was lifted from the 
head of the coffin, Some time was required to put things entirely 
in order, and it was half-past twelve before the throng, which had 
been waiting from early morning on the outside, was admitted. 

As the coffin rested upon the catafalque it was just about 
high enough to permit of easy inspection by adults. The crowd 
entered through the east main door of the Capitol and passed out 
through the west exit. The people came in double file, one line 
passing to the right and the other to the left of the casket. Only 
a hurried glance was permitted to any one, as it was announced 
that the ceremony would close promptly at 6.30 o'clock. When- 
ever there was an attempt to linger, especially over the casket, as 
there was in many instances, the person making it was admon- 
ished by the Capitol police to " pass on." 

HURRIED PAST THE CASKET. 

When they still remained thej^ were pushed along. In this 
way about 130 people were enabled to review the remains every 
minute. The pressure from the outside was terrific. Many 
women and children fainted, and others were more or less hurt. 
The crowd consisted of men, women and children, and all colors 
and ages were represented. Many children were carried through 
the building in the arms of their parents. As the body of the 
dead President lay in state it was guarded by representatives of 
all branches of the nation's martial service, under the command 
of General W. F. Randolph, Chief of Artillery. Directly at the 
head of the casket stood a marine, who faced another at the foot. 

On each side of these two sentinels the crowd passed. On 
either side of the marine at the head stood an artilleryman, while 
the marine at the foot of the casket was flanked by seamen. 
Other artillerymen, seamen and marines formed a lane through 
■which the people passed. Back of them on either side was a line 
of floral pieces. There were over a hundred of these. The whole 
scene was photogrraphed scores of times. Apparently the throng 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 859 

was in an apprehensive state of mind, for every time a flashlight 
picture was taken piteous screams were heard from the people 
about the entrance. 

Washington, Sept. 17.— Ex-President Grover Cleveland, 
accompanied by Vice President Lamont, of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad, Mr. Cleveland's Secretary of War, arrived in Wash- 
ington to-day to participate in the obsequies of the late President. 
They reached here at 4.05 o'clock this morning in Mr. Lament's 
private car "Yellowstone," which Mr. Cleveland boarded at 
Princeton Junction last night. The two arose shortly after 7 
o'clock, and breakfasted on the car. Mr. Cleveland refused to see 
callers, and to a newspaper man, who sought an interview, he sent 
word that he had nothing to say. 

THEY REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT. 

General John M.Wilson, retired, formerly chief of engineers, 
and Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, of the navy, who had been 
designated to take charge of the ex-President, arrived at the 
station shortly before 8 o'clock, and immediately reported to the 
former President. The latter was sitting in the observation part 
of the car, smoking and awaiting the party. He wore a Prince 
Albert suit, with silk hat, and carried his gloves in his hands. 
He chatted for a few minutes with General Wilson over the 
arrangements, expressing his earnest desire to participate in them, 
and then the party made their way down the long platform and 
out on the street. There was a crowd in the depot, and most of 
them recognized him instantly and saluted him. A path had to 
be made for him through the waiting room. The party were 
driven first to Admiral Evans' home, and then to the White 
House, where they arrived shortly before the time the cortege was 
scheduled to move. 

In foreign countries there were unusual demonstrations of 
sorrow. The Bank of England exhibited for signature a mem- 
orial of the " Bankers, Merchants and Traders of the City of 
London," expressing sorrow at President McKinley's death,which 
Mr. Choate, the United States Ambassador, was asked to forward 



360 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

to the people of the United States and Mrs. McKinle}-. The] 
Rothschilds, the Barings, the South African Chartered Company 
and all the greatest financial houses signed the memorial. 

Colonel Sir William James Colville, the King's Master of 
Ceremonies, called on Mr. Choate and placed his services at the 
Ambassador's disposal in connection with the reception of the 
Diplomatic Corps at Westminster Abbe}^ Thursday', on the 
occasion of the memorial service in honor of the late President of 
the United States. 

The Cotton Exchange and the Corn Exchange were ordered 
to be closed on Thursday, the day of the interment of the remains 
of the late President McKinley The Pig Iron Exchange of 
Glasgow, was ordered to be closed Thursdaj', when the remains 
^f President McKinley w-ere interred at Canton, O. 

MOURNING IN PARIS. 

By invitation of General Horace Porter, the United States 
Ambassador at Paris, the resident and traveling Americans met 
at his residence to adopt resolutions on the assassination of Presi»- 
dent McKinley. The attendance was numerous, including man}'- 
ladies dressed in mourning. General Porter who had completely 
recovered from his indisposition, presided at the meeting. Senator 
Lodge, Secretary Vignaud and Consul General Gowdy were the 
Vice Presidents. General Porter, in feeling terms, announced 
the purpose of the meeting. Senator Lodge, in moving the adop- 
tion of the resolutions, eloquently outlined the career of the late 
President and his administration. The Senator alluded in grate- 
ful terms to the touching manifestation of sympathy shown by the 
people of Paris and France at the sorrow of the American 
Republic. 

The following resol^ition w-as voted : *' William McKinley, 
President of the United States, is dead. He was an eminent 
statesman, soldier and patriot, a great Chief Magistrate, whose 
administration will stand out as one of the most eventful and 
illustrious in American history. He has fallen at the zenith of 
his fame, in the height of a great career, b}'' the hand of ao 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 361 

assassin. The enormity of the wanton crime, measured by the 
grievous loss, has brought sorrow to the Republic and all her 
citizens. 

''We, Americans, now in Paris, desire to make a public record 
of the feeling which at this hour of grief we share with all our 
countrymen. With them we unite in profound sorrow for the 
untimely death of President McKinle}^, as well as in admiration 
of his character as a man and his great public services, which have 
brought so much honor to the Republic. 

''We wish to declare our utter abhorrence of the foul crime, 
to which President McKinley fell a victim and of the teachings 
which produced it. 

"To her to whom the President gave a lifelong devotion, as 
l^ure as it was beautiful, we offer our deepest, heartfelt sym- 
pathy. 

THEIR GENEROUS CONFIDENCE. 

" To President Roosevelt, called so suddenly and under such 
sad conditions to the Presidenc}^, we present our sincere and 
respectful sympathy, and would also express our generous confi- 
dence in the hope and belief that his administration will redound 
to his own honor and to the general welfare of our country. 

" We are profoundly grateful to the President and people of 
our sister Republic for their quick sympathy and touching expres- 
sions of condolence at this moment of great national sorrow of the 
United States." 

Earlier in the afternoon the members of the American Cham- 
ber of Commerce met and passed appropriate resolutions. Presi- 
dent Kimbel, Consul General Gowdy and Mr. Seligman, the 
banker, spoke with much feeling. The resolutions adopted were 
cabled to the Secretary of State at Washington. 

A tribute from William J. Br>^an to the dead President was 
given to the Associated Press. Quoting the words of Major Mc- 
Kinley, "God's will, not ours, be done," Mr. Bryan recalled the 
pathetic scenes at the deathbed, and continued : 

" The terrible deed at Buffalo, rudely breaking the ties of 
family and friendship and horrifying every patriotic citizen, 



S62 EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 

crowns a most extraordinary life with a halo that cannot but exalt 
its victim's place in history, while his bravery during the trying 
ordeal, his forgiving spirit and his fortitude in the final hours give 
glimpses of his inner life which nothing less tragic could have 
revealed. 

" But inexpressibly sad as is the death of McKinley, the 
illustrious citizen, it is the damnable murder of McKinley, the 
President, that melts 75,000,000 hearts into one and brings hush 
to the farm, the factory and the forum. The death, even when 
produced by natural causes, of a public servant charged with the 
tremendous responsibilities which press upon a President shocks 
the entire country, and is infinitely multiplied when the circum- 
stances attending constitute an attack upon the Government itself 
No one can estimate the far-reaching effect of such an act as that 
whicn now casts a gloom over our land. It shames America in 
the eyes of the world, it impairs her moral prestige and gives 
enemies of free government a chance to mock at her, and it excites 
an indignation which, while righteous in itself, may lead to acts 
which will partake of the spirit of lawlessness. 

MUST AVENGE THE OUTRAGE. 

" As the President's death overwhelms all in a common sor- 
row, so it imposes a common responsibility, namely : To so avenge 
the wrong done to the President, his family and the country as to 
make the Executive life secure without abridgement of freedom 
of speech or freedom of the press." 

King Edward, King Christian, Queen Alexandra and the 
Empress Dowager of Russia, surrounded by the princes and 
princesses of their families, personally expressed in special audi- 
ence granted to the United States Minister, Mr. Swenson, their 
deep sympathy and indignation at the death of Mr. McKinley. 

King Edward's closing words to Mr. Swenson were the fol- 
lowing : " Convey my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of so grand 
a man to so great a nation, a man who was so good a friend to 
Great Britain." 

A tribute, entitled " William McKinley — An Appreciation," 



EULOGY BY BISHOP ANDREWS. 861 

written by Secretary John D. Long, was given prominence in a 
Boston journal. In part it said : 

" President McKinley, of blessed life, is now, and more and 
more as time goes on, will be of blessed memory. Tbe asperi- 
ties wbich afflict a public servant during his official career will 
quickly be forgotten, and the calm, just verdict of history will 
pronounce him a man of ideally pure, true character, a patriot of 
single and disinterested devotion to his country, and a statesman 
unexcelled for tact, prudence and practical competency. His 
domestic life is one of the precious sanctities of American senti- 
ment. 

"As an Executive, his administration has been a series of 
remarkable achievements. It has been attended by great mili- 
tary successes, by an abounding prosperity. 

« *'It has put out the last embers of sectional bitterness. It 
has been marked by appointments of high character and especial 
fitness to places of great trust. The tone of the public official, 
the efficiency of the civil service, the integrity and fidelity of all 
departments and branches of the executive government were 
never so high as to-day. 

*' President McKinley leaves an unblemished record in public 
and private life. And a record not merely free from blemish, but 
bright with good deeds done, with great services rendered." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Last Funeral Rites at Canton — Imposing Demonstrations- 
Scenes at the Church — President Roosevelt and Other 
Distinguished Mourners. 

WITH the going down of tlie sun, on September i9tli, tlie 
■ "body of William McKinle}', late President of the United 
States, was committed to the tomb, in the presence of his suc- 
cessor in office, the chiefs of all departments of the Government, 
and a vast multitude of people, w^ho filled the cemetery and stood 
silentl}?- and wdth bared heads while the last w^ords were spoken 
and the last honors were paid the martyred Chief Magistrate. 

The last scene of all closed with the booming of minute 
guns, varied by the quick, sharp report of the nineteen guns pre- 
scribed to salute the President, the touching music of the favorite 
hymn of the deceased, and finally b}'' the bugle notes, reverberat- 
ing over the hills, as they sounded "taps" — the soldier's good- 
night. All was ended. The troops, who had marched to the 
tomb slowl}'-, solemnly, with mournful music and drooping colors, 
Avere moved into column while the smoke of the guns still hung 
among the foliage like incense, and the bugle notes echoed and 
re-echoed across the fertile valley of the Nimisilla, as if reluctant 
to depart. 

The words of command rang out in strange contrast with the 
suppressed tones that had so shortly directed the funeral move- 
ment, the bands struck up lively airs, the homeward march began 
with quick step and swinging gait, the iron jaws of the vault were 
closed with a snap, and William McKinle}- was alone with the 
militarj'' watchers who wall guard his remains for an indefinite 
period, and until a permanent resting place is selected. The sun 
sank below the horizon, and the shades of night were creeping 
over the last scene in the tragedy that formed the climax of the 
late President's life before the last of the funeral procession left 
the gates of the cemetery' behind, 

3fi4 



r 



Last funeral RrrEs at canton, m^ 

Tlie day opened with lowering clouds that threatened to 
envelope the closing scene with a pall and deluge the vast multi- 
tude of sorrowing spectators. Fortunately, as the sun gained 
ascension the clouds were dissipated ; the atmosphere, which had 
been damp and penetrating, became bright and cheering, bringing 
assurances of the best meteorological conditions and furnishing 
cause for popular rejoicing and thanksgiving. 

All through the night and early morning, trains, loaded with 
pilgrims to Canton, rumbled into the stations. Before the morn- 
ing was far advanced, the streets were packed with people of both 
sexes, all sizes and conditions, who moved in solid mass about the 
City Hall, passed in orderly procession through the vault-like 
chamber, with its mournful drapery and its oppressive funeral 
light, where the remains reposed in state and were exposed to 
view for the last time. 

IN THE LITTLE FRONT PARLOR. 

The McKinley residence divided with the City Hall the 
popular interest. The precious casket rested in the little front 
parlor, and, while none was admitted, all could pass iu silence 
and gaze upon the house that held it, surrounded by armed men, 
whose measured step was the onl}^ sound that disturbed the pre- 
vailing quiet. Crossed palms, held by black and white ribbons, 
and fastened against the wall on the right of the door, were the 
only outward evidence of the d^ep grief that overwhelmed the 
household, and which weighed upon the bereaved widow of 
William McKinley. 

The procession was behind the time appointed in starting, 
the dela}' arising from the numerous organizations and large 
numbers of those who composed them. The escort was made up 
of the entire force of the State Guards, many commandries of 
Knights Templar, Masonic lodges and posts of the Grand Army, 
of which organizations the deceased was a member ; survivors of 
his old regiment, organizations from every section of Ohio, and 
delegations from other States, including their Governors. 

The immediate family, tosjether with the United States 



866 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

officials in attendance, tlie President, tlie Cabinet, tlife genera'', 
officers of tlie army, headed by the Lieutenant-General, who 
reached Canton in the evening ; the Rear Admirals of the navy, 
the soldiers and sailors who have faithfully guarded and borne 
the remains from place to place since leaving Buffalo; Senators 
of the United States and Representatives-elect, formed and fol- 
lowed in the same regulation order that was observed in the 
procession at Washington. The march was direct to the church 
in which the services were held. 

The building was filled to its utmost capacity, and sur- 
rounded on the outside by a vast multitude, which was held back 
by the military escort, formed in line to await the closing of the 
religious exercises and to make the last march to the cemetery 
with all the pomp and ceremony befitting the occasion. Mrs. 
McKinley did not go to the church. She was desirous of follow- 
ing her beloved to the end, but was finally prevailed upon to 
remain at home by her relatives and her physician. 

PROCESSION REACHES THE CHURCH. 

President Roosevelt and the members of the family were in 
position directly in front of the hearse as the representatives of a 
stricken nation and mourning people. The funeral procession 
reached the church about two o'clock. The doors were kept 
closed against general admission until the casket was in place 
and the relatives and official attendants were seated. The platform 
from which the regular church services are conducted was 
extended in order to accommodate the large number of clergymen 
of all denominations who requested the privilege of being present 
during the services. 

More than one hundred clergymen were thus accommodated, 
and formed a fitting background for the many floral contributions 
banked in front, and the sombre hangings that covered the walls 
and hung in festoons that were looped with broad white ribbons 
from the pillars and the great organ. The army and navy officers 
constituting the special guard of honor, occupied the two front 
pev;s on the right and left ©f the main aisle. The President at 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. gOT 

the head of the second pew on the right, the members of the 
Cabinet sitting with him and about him according to their rank 
in the order of succession to the Presidency as established by 
Congress to meet a possible, but happily, it is hoped, a remote 
contingency. 

The services occupied nearly an hour and a half, and were 
in every sense appropriate, their simplicity adding to their 
impressiveness. The music was by a quartette, two male and 
two female voices. There was no organ accompaniment to con- 
ceal the sweetness and tenderness of the voices, which filled the 
edifice, floating harmoniously across the groined ceiling and out 
to the auditorium and gallery of an annex to the main building, 
and which is so constructed that it can be made part of it, as was 
the case at the funeral. 

A BEAUTIFUL EULOGY. 

The delivery of the eulogy by Rev. Dr. Manchester, pastor, 
friend and neighbor of the late President, occupied thirty-five 
minutes, and was a most touching and beautiful tribute to the 
public services and personal worth of the deceased. The services 
closed with singing " Nearer, my God, to Thee," by the quartette. 
When the benediction was pronounced the organ began in mur- 
muring tones Chopin's funeral march, which swelled into a 
volume of melody as the congregation slowly moved from the 
church after the removal of the casket. 

Upon emerging from the church the remains were again 
received by the troops with the prescribed honors, the column of 
march was resumed and passing between two lines of solid 
humanity that stretched from the church to West Lawn Cemetery, 
every constituent unit of which stood reverently and mournfully 
as the cortege passed, they were borne to the tomb. 

The following additional account of an e3^e-watness affords a 
graphic picture of the solemn scene : 

" As the time approached for bearing the bod}' of the dead 
President from the McKinley home to the church the little 
cottage on North Market street was the centre of a vast con- 



308 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

course of people. Regiment after regiment of soldiers, acting as 
guards, were in triple lines from curbs back to the lawns. The 
walks had been cleared, and the multitude took refuge on the 
great sweep of lawns, where they formed a solid mass of human- 
ity, surging forward to the lines of soldiers. In front of the 
McKinley cottage were drawn np the two rigid files of body 
bearers — eight sailors of the navy and eight soldiers of the arm}' — 
awaiting the order to go within and take up the casket. 

"Just at I o'clock the black chargers of the Cleveland Troop 
swept down the street, their riders four abreast, in their brilliant 
Hussar uniforms, with flags bound in crepe, and every saber hilt 
bearing its fluttering emblem of mourning. Their coming was 
the signal for the approach of President Roosevelt and the mem- 
bers of the Cabinet. The Presidential party moved up the walk 
to the entrance of the house and formed in a group to the left. 
The President's face looked very grave, and he stood there 
silently, with uncovered head, awaiting the body of the dead 
chieftain. 

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET. 

*' Beside him stood Secretary Gage, Secretary Root, Secretary 
Wilson and Secretary Hitchcock, and just across Attorney General 
Knox, Postmaster General Smith, Assistant Secretary of State 
Hill, representing Secretary Hay, and Secretary Cortelyou. 
Extending further down the walk was the guard of honor, the 
ranking Generals of the arm}'^ on the right and the chief figures 
of the navy on the left. 

" Lieutenant-General Miles, in the full uniform of his high 
rank, with sword at side and band of crepe about his arm, 
stood alongside the members of the Cabinet, and with him were 
Major-General Brooke, Major-General Otis, Major-General Mac- 
Arthur and Brigadier-General Gillespie. Across from them were 
ranged Rear-Admiral Farquhar, representing Admiral Dewey, 
ranking head of the navy ; Rear- Admiral Crowninshield, Rear- 
Admiral O'Neil, Rear- Admiral Kenney and Brigadier-General 
Heywood, the latter Commander-in-Chief of the Marine Corps. 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 80* 

Just inside the gate stood the civilian Honorary Court, in double 
line, including Governor Nash, of Ohio ; Governor Caldwell, 
Judge Williams, of the Ohio Supreme Court ; Henry B. Mac- 
Farland, President of the Commissioners of the District of 
Columbia ; Mayor Diehl, of Buffalo ; Judge Day, the lifelong 
friend of the President; Mr. Milburn, at whose house he died,' 
and others in civil life near and dear to the dead chief 

" As the Presidential party came up, the black chargers of 
Troop A swuug into battalion front facing the house, and the 
long line of flashing sabres advanced to salute. 

*'Now the deep-toned wail of the church bells began, and 
every steeple in Canton gave forth its dolorous plaint. It was 
1. 15 o'clock, and the time had come for taking up the body. A 
brief private service had been held within the darkened chamber, 
Dr. Manchester saying a prayer while the relatives gathered 
around, and Mrs. McKinley listened from the half open door of 
her adjoining room. The double file of body -bearers now stepped 
into the room, and, raising their flag-wrapped casket to their 
shoulders, bore it through the open entrance. 

MAJESTIC IN ITS SILENCE. 

"A solemn hush fell upon the multitude as the bearers 
advanced with measured tread. Not a bugle blast went up ; not 
a strain of the hymns the dead ruler had loved so well. The 
scene was majestic in its silence. As the casket was borne along, 
above the line of heads could be seen enfolding Stars and Stripes, 
and on top great masses of white roses and delicate lavender 
orchids. Tenderly the coffin was committed to the hearse, and 
the silence was broken as the order to march passed from officer 
to officer. 

'*The great procession now took up its mournful journey, 
passing under the sweep of giant arches robed in black, between 
two living tides of humanity massed along the streets, covering 
housetops and filling windows. The church bells still were 
tolling, mingling their dismal tones with the cadence of the 
funeral dirge. Preceding the funeral car and forming the first 

24 McK 



870 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

division rode General Torrance, National Commander, G. A. R., 
with a long line of grizzled veterans. 

" After ttiem moved the National Guard of the State of Ohio, 
platoon after platoon, under command of General Charles A. 
Dick. Then came the solemn funeral cortege, the late Presi- 
dent's favorite command. Troop A, riding ahead. At the head 
of each of the coal black horses drawing the hearse marched a 
soldier. The heads of the horses bore tall, black plum«j,j), and 
over them were thrown long palls of black. 

MILITARY AND NAVAL GUARDS. 

" At either side of the hearse marched the guard of military 
and naval honor, the generals on the right, led by General Miles, 
and the admirals on the left, led by Admiral Farquhar. Then 
came the long line of carriages for the relatives and friends, and 
after them the innumerable military and civic organizations that 
had assembled to pay this last honor to the fallen chief In the 
line were division after division of Knights Templar, Knights of 
Pythias, Free Masons, Odd Fellows and representatives of benefi- 
cial orders, chambers of commerce, as well as delegations of citi- 
zens from cities and towns throughout the State and countrj^ 

" It was 1.50 o'clock when the procession passed the Court 
House and turned into Tuscarawas street to the stately stone 
edifice where the funeral service was to be held. At the church 
entrance were drawn up deep files of soldiers, with bayonets 
advanced, keeping a clear area for the advancing casket and the 
long train of mourners. The hearse halted, while President 
Roosevelt and members of the Cabinet alighted. Again they 
grouped themselves at either side of the entrance, and, with 
uncovered heads, awaited the passing of the casket. Then the 
flower covered coffin was brought from the hearse, and, as it 
passed within the black draped entrance, the President and his 
Cabinet followed within the edfice. The mourners, too, passed 
inside of the edifice, but the stricken widow was not among them. 
She had remained behind in the old home, alone with her grief." 

The scene within the church when the casket was carried ia 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 871 

oti tlie bra-^vny slioulders of the soldiers and sailors was profoundly 
impressive. A black border, twenty feet liigli, relieved at intervals 
by narrow white bands, falling to the floor, swept completely 
around the interior. Only the gilt organ pipes, back of the pulpit, 
rose above it. The vestibules on either side of the chancel lead- 
ing into the church were black tunnels, the stained glass win- 
dows on either side were framed in black and the balcony of 
the Sunday-school to the rear, thrown open into the church 
by large sliding doors, was shrouded in the same sombre 
colors. 

Graceful black streamers festooned along the arches of the 
nave formed a black canopy above the chancel. From this directly 
above the low flag- covered catafalque, on which the casket was to 
rest, hung a beautiful silk banner, its blood-red and snow-white 
folds tied midway with a band of crepe. 

FLORAL BEAUTIES. 

But it was the floral display at the front of the church which 
filled the whole edifice with glory. The centre of it all was a 
great wreath of American Beauties, framing a black-bordered por- 
trait of President McKinley. From it, extending outward and 
upward, was a perfect wealth of gorgeous blossoms. The effect 
was as if a great rushing wave of color had broken into flowers at 
the foot of the bier. They extended up even to the organ pipes, 
against which lay four wreaths, three broken as if to represent 
the quarters of the moon. It was exquisite. Words melt awa}' 
powerless before the tender beauty. 

Purple and green were the dominant notes— orchids, violets, 
palms and evergreens against the sombre background. There 
were many handsome pieces. Against the walls on either side 
were floral flags, and upon the pulpit rested an urn in white car- 
nations, broken at the base to represent the water flowing from it. 
At either side of this urn were the cross of the Knights Templar 
and the crown of the Knights of Pythias, while to the east was ihc 
square and compass of Masonry. 

Almost directly above the support for the coffin a sunburst 



872 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

of lights glittered like brilliant stars in a black sky. The light 
from without came dimly through the stained glass mndows. 

Under the quivering folds of the starry banner, with the 
lights shedding their eflfulgence from above, the fragrance of the 
flowers hovering all about, and the music of Beethoven's Grand 
Funeral March pulsing from the organ, the body bearers gently 
lowered the flag-draped and flower-adorned coffin to its support. 
The members of the Loyal Legion, Governor Nash, Governor 
McMillin, of Tennessee, and Governor Longino, of Mississipi, 
each with his full uniformed staff, had already entered the church 
from the west entrance, and had filled up the most westerly of 
the sections of pews. 

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE. 

The members of the Senate and the House of Repre- 
sentatives had preceded the coffin through the door at the side 
of the chancel through which it entered. They were ushered 
in as at all State ceremonies b}^ the Sergeant-at-Arms of 
each body. Senators Allison, of Iowa, and Bate, of Tennessee, 
headed the Senatorial representation, of which there were about 
forty, and Speaker Henderson and Representative Dalzell that of 
the House, of which more than half of the membership must 
have been present. 

The Congressional party filled up the entire east section of 
pews and the rear half of the two central sections. The local 
clergymen occupied the seats below the organ, usually occupied 
by the choir. All had risen as the coffin was borne in. 

The generals and admirals of the army and navy, who com- 
prised the guard of honor, in their resplendent uniforms, followed 
the body and occupied the first pew on either side of the centre 
aisle. President Roosevelt and the Cabinet came slowly after. 
All were in black and wore black gloves. The President took his 
place immediately behind Lieutenant-General Miles, next the 
centre aisle in the second pew to the eastward. So close was he 
to the coffin he could almost have leaned over and touched it. 
Th« fourth pew from the front, that always occupied by Prcsidwit 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 878 

McKinley, was draped iu black, and remained vacanr. After 
these had been seated, the door leading into the Sunday-school 
was opened, and the seats arranged below, as well as those in the 
balcony, were soon filled with the representatives of various 
organizations and the fellow townsmen of the mart\'red President. 
Conspicuous among these were the survivors of the Twenty- 
third Ohio, President McKinley's old regiment, who brought into 
the church the tattered battle flags the regiment had carried 
throughout the Civil War. 

It was after 2 o'clock when the quartette arose and lifted up 
their voices with the touching words of " Beautiful Isle of Some- 
where." When the sound of the last line had died away. Rev. 
O. B. Milligan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in which 
President and Mrs. McKinley were married thirty years ago, 
offered a fervent prayer. Every head within the church bent in 
solemn reverence as the invocation went up. 

PASSAGES FROM THE BIBLE. 

Dr. John A. Hall, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, 
then read from the Bible the beautiful 19th Psalm, and Rev. E. P. 
Herburck verses 41 to 58 of the twenty-fifth chapter of i Cor- 
inthians. With great feeling he read the inspiring words telling 
of the mystery that all would not sleep, but all be changed. 

The quartette then sang Cardinal Newman's grand hymn, 
the beautiful words floating through all the church, 
" Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom." 

Dr. C. E. Manchester then delivered an address, which lasted 
twenty-four minutes, on the life of the late President and the 
lessons taught by his noble character and death. 

Bishop L W. Joyce, of Minneapolis, followed with a brief 
prayer, and the services were concluded with the singing of the 
hymn which President McKinley repeated on his deathbed, 
"Nearer, My God, to Thee ; Nearer to Thee." The entire con- 
gregation arose and joined in the last stanza. Father Valtman, 
of Chicago, chaplain of the Twenty-ninth Infantiy, pronounced 
the benediction. Then the notes of the organ again arose. The 



«74 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

coffin was taken up and borne from the cliurcli. The relatives 
and those in official life, went out in the order they had entered. 
It was shortly after three o'clock when the silent and anxious 
throng's outside the church saw the solemn pageant reappear 
through the church doors. First came the guard of militar}^ 
[ and naval honor, the generals and admirals, forming in double 
line leading from the entrance to the waiting hearse. Again the 
flag-draped casket with its wealth of flowers, appeared, and was 
committed to the hearse. The President and members of the 
Cabinet followed, arm in arm, and stepped into the waiting car- 
riages. The relatives entered carriages next. Then the squad- 
ron of troopers broke from their battalion front and, wheeling 
into platoons, took up the march to the grave. 

SORROWFUL FACES EVERYWHERE. 

In the long line of carriages were United States Senators and 
members of the House of Representatives from every section of 
the country, Justices of the United States Supreme Court the 
ranking heads of the army and navy, governors of States and 
mayors of cities, and the dead President's fellow townsmen. Out 
Tuscarawas street the long procession moved through a section of 
the city where the sound of the dirge had not before been heard. 
But it presented the same sorrow-stricken aspect that had been 
observed in the heart of the city. Funeral arches spanned the 
street, some of them, it is understood, having been erected by 
school children. The houses were hung with black and even the 
stately elms along the way had their trunks enshrouded in black 
and white drapery. 

Rev. O. B. Milligan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Canton, delivered the invocation, which was as follows : 

" O God, our God, our nation's God, Thou God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and God of all 
comfort we have entered the courts of Thy house to-day with 
bowed and burdened hearts. In Thy inscrutable providence Thou 
hast permitted this great calamity to come upon us. Truly 'Thy 
ways are in the deep, and Thy paths in the mighty waters.' We 



LkST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 875 

bow in meekness before this exhibition of Thy sovereignty, and 
own Thy right to do as Thon wilt in the armies of heaven and 
amongst the sons of men. Bnt blessed be Thy name; Thy 
sovereignty over ns is the sovereignty of love. 

"Thon art onr Father, and 'like as a father pitieth his 
children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.' Thon hast so 
revealed Thyself to ns in Th)^ Word, bnt especially in Jesns 
Christ, who was the brightness of* Thy glory and the express 
image of Thy person. Therefore, O Lord, we can the more cheer- 
fully submit to the doings of Thy hand and heart. 

" We can sa}'- with him whom we so depl}^ mourn, ' This is 
God's way; His will, not ours, be done.' and, whilst we cannot 
understand Thy gracious purposes in this dispensation, help us, 
Lord, to wait in patient confidence, assured that Thou, who art 
Thine own interpreter, will reveal Thy thoughts of peace and 
purposes of merc}^ in this great mystery. In this spirit help us 
to accept this providence and still to trust Thee. 

CAUSES FOR THANKSGIVING. 

" We thank Thee, O Lord, for this life which has been taken 
so rudely from us. We thank Thee for Thy servant's endow- 
ments and achievements. We thank Thee for the evidences that 
he was chosen, of Thee, for great purposes in this world, and for 
the splendid way in which, by Thy grace, these purposes were 
wrought out in his life. Adorned by Thee, we thank Thee for what 
he was in himself, in his home, in societ}^, in Church and State and 
national relations. We bless Thee for the inspiration of his 
example, and we rejoice that, though dead, his influence for good 
will ever live among us. Blessed be Thy Name, in the temple of 
American honor another is written among the immortals. Help 
us all, O Lord, to see in his life the divine possibilities of life, 
and to strive for a like fidelity as we go forward to meet life's 
appointments. 

"Vouchsafe, we pray Thee, all needful blessings to our 
nation in this season of sore bereavement. Thou knowest, O 
God, how this blow has struck every hear^-. how this sorrow 



g76 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

pierces every soul. The nation is dotted with sackcloth and 
bowed with grief. Our land is full of mourning, our hearts are 
heavy with an inexpressible and almost unendurable sorrow. 

"Surely Thou hast stricken us in Thy sore displeasure, for 
Thou dost not afflict willingly ; Thou dost not delight in punish- 
vient. O, that Thou wouldst help us to search our hearts to seek 
.ut even the hidden depths and springs of wickedness, to rid us 
of the evil, that the abundant favor of our God may be returned 
to us, and that the sublime things we hope for, in our nation's 
future, ma}^ be realized. And until we have discovered the evil 
and rooted it out, let not Thy goodness depart from us. 

" In afflicting, O Lord, be merciful. Remember not our sins 
against us and visit us in the plentitude of Thy grace. 

PRAYER FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT. 

' V^ouchsafe, we pray Thee, the fullness of Th}'' grace to 
Thy servant, who has so unexpectedl}^ been inducted into the 
solemn responsibilities of the office of Chief Magistrate. May he 
be endowed with all needed gifts to administer the Government 
to the glory and the welfare of this great people. Give him Thy 
protection from secret foes and unworthy friends. Fill his heart 
with Thy fear and give him the confidence and love of the nation. 

"And now, O Lord, trustfully do we commit to Thy infinite, 
tender and gracious care, she who has been most bitterly bereaved. 
Tender as are our hearts toward her in this sad hour ; passing 
tender as was her husband's heart toward her, as together they 
passed through all the scenes of joy and soitow which were 
appointed them in life, may the heart of God be more tender still. 
Bind her round with the sufficient consolations of Thy presence 
and grace ; and, as by faith, she leans upon the unseen arm of 
the Infinite, may she ever find Thee a present help in time of 
need. 

" Sanctify this dispensation to us all. May we hear it in the 
voice of the Eternal, crying, 'All flesh is grass, and all the godli- 
ness thereof as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the 
flower fadeth, but the word of our God will stand forever.' Help 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 877 

US that we- may diligently improve this providence to our growth 
in grace, and in the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
By Thy grace, dear Lord, prepare us all for life's duties and 
trials, of the solemnities of death and for a blessed immortality. 
These, and every other needed blessing, we plead for in the name 
of Him who taught us to pray : 

"'Our Father, which art in heaven. Hallowed by Thy name. 
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as 
we forgive those who'trespass against us. And lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil, and Thine to be the power, and the 
glory, forever and ever. Amen.' " 

TOUCHING ADDRESS BY McKINLEY'S PASTOR. 

The address of Rev. C. E. Manchester, President McKinley's 
pastor, was as follows : 

" Our President is dead. The silver cord is loosed, the 
golden bow is broken, the pitcher is broken at the fountain, the 
wheel broken at the cistern. The mourners go about the streets. 
One voice is heard — a wail of sorrow from all the land, for ' The 
beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places. How are the mighty 
fallen? I am distressed for thee, my brother. Very pleasant 
hast thou been unto me.' 

" Our President is dead. 

" We can hardly believe it. We had hoped and prayed, and 
it seemed that our hopes were to be realized and our pra5'ers 
answered, when the emotion of joy was changed to one of grave 
apprehension. Still we waited, for we said, ' It may be that God 
will be gracious and merciful unto us.' It seemed to us that it 
must be His will to spare the life of one so well beloved and so 
much needed. Thus, alternating between hope and fear, the weary 
hours passed on. 

'Then came the tidings of defeated sciences, of the failure of 
love and prayer to hold its object to the earth. We seemed to 
hear the faintly muttered words, ' Good-bye, all ; good-bye. It's 
God's will. His will be done,' and then * Nearer, My God, to 



378 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

Thee/ So, nestling nearer to liis God, Repassed out into uncon- 
vSciousness, skirted the dark shores of the sea of death for a time, 
and then passed on to be at rest. His great lieart liad ceased to 
beat. 

"'Our hearts are heavy with sorrow 

A voice is heard on earth of kinsfolk weeping 
The loss of one they love ; 

But he has gone where the redeemed are keeping 
A festival above, 
** 'The mourners throng the ways, and from the steeple 
The funeral bells toll slow ; 
But on the golden streets the holy people 

Are passing to and fro. 
And saying as they meet, " Rejoice," 

Another long waited for is come. 
The Saviour's heart is glad, a younger brother 
Has reached the Father's home.' 

THE WORLD HAS LOST A MAN. 

" The cause of this universal mourning is to be found in the 
man himself The inspired penman's picture of Jonathan, liken- 
ing him unto the ' beauty of Israel,' could not be more appropri- 
ately emplo3'ed than in chanting the lament over our fallen chief- 
tain. It does no violence to humau speech, nor is it fulsome 
eulogy to speak thus of him, for who that has seen his stately 
bearing, his grace and manliness of demeanor, his kindliness of 
aspect, but gives assent from this description of him ? Was it 
characteristic of our beloved President that men met him only to 
love him ? 

" They might indeed differ with him, but in the presence of 
such dignity of character and grace of manner none could fail to 
love the man. The people confided in him, believed in him. It 
was said of Lincoln that probably no man since the days of Wash- 
ington was ever so deeply imbedded and enshrined in the hearts 
of the people, but it is true of McKinley in a larger sense. Indus- 
trial and social conditions are such that he was even more than 
his predecessors the friend of the whole people. 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 379 

^ A touching scene was enacted in this churcK on Sunday 
night. The services had closed. The worshipers were gone to 
their homes. Only a few lingered to discuss the sad event that 
brings us together to-day. Three men in working garb of a 
foreign race and unfamiliar tongue entered the room. They 
approached the altar, kneeling before it and before his picture 
Their lips moved as if in prayer, while tears furrowed their cheeks. 
They ma}' have been thinking of their own King Humbert, and 
of his untimely death. Their emotion was eloquent, eloquent 
beyond speech, and it bore testimony to their appreciation of 
manly friendship and honest worth. 

*' It is a glorious thing to be able to say in this presence, with 
our illustrious dead before us, that he never betrayed the con- 
fidence of his countrymen. Not for personal gain or pre-eminence 
would he mar the beauty of his soul. He kept it clean and white 
before God and man, and his hands were unsullied by bribes. 

A MAN OF SINGLE AIM. 

** His eyes looked right on, and his eyelids looked straight 
before him. He was sincere, plain and honest, just, benevolent and 
kind. He never disappointed those who believed in him, but 
measured up to every duty, and met every responsibility in life 
grandly and unflinchingly. 

" Not only was our President brave, heroic and honest ; he 
was as gallant a knight as ever rode the lists for his lady lover in 
the days when knighthood was in flower. It is but a few weeks 
since the nation looked on with tear dimmed eyes as it saw with 
what tender conjugal devotion he sat at the bedside of his beloved 
wife, when all feared that a fatal illness was upon her. No public 
clamor that he might show himself to the populace, no demand of 
social function was sufficient to draw the lover from the bedside 
of his wife. He watched and waited while we all prayed — and she 
lived. 

" This sweet and tender story all the world knows, and the 
world knows that his whole life had run in this one groove of love. 
It was a strong arm that she leaned upon, and it never failed her. 



860 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

Her smile was more to him than the plaudits of the multitude, 
and for her greeting his acknowledgments of them must wait. 
After receiving the fatal wound, his first thought v/as that the 
terrible news might be broken gently to her. May God in this 
deep hour of sorrow comfort her. May his grace be greater than 
her anguish. May the widows' God be her God. 

" Another beauty in the character of our President, that was a 
chaplet of grace about his neck, was that he was a Christian. In the 
broadest, noblest sense of the w^ord, that was true. His confidence 
in God was strong and unwavering. It held him steady in many 
a storm where others were driven before the wind and tossed. He 
believed in the Fatherhood of God and in His sovereignty. His 
faith in the Gospel of Christ was deep and abiding. He had no 
patience with any other theme of pulpit discourse. ' Christ and 
Him crucified' was, to his mind, the only panacea for the world's 
disorders. He believed it to be a supreme duty of the Christian 
minister to preach the word. He said : ' We do not look for great 
business men in the pulpit, but for great preachers.' 

WANTED HIM TO BE A MINISTER. 

" It is well known that his godly mother had hoped for him 
that he would become a minister of the Gospel, and that she 
believed it to be the highest vocation in life. It was not, how- 
ever, his mother's faith that made him a Christian. He had 
gained in early life a personal knowledge of Jesus, which guided 
him in the performance of greater duties and vaster responsibili- 
ties than have been the lot of any other American President. He 
said at one time, while bearing heavy burdens, that he had not dis- 
charged the daily duties of his life but for the fact that he had 
faith in God. 

" William McKinley believed in prayer, in the beauty of it, 
in the potency of it. Its language was not unfamiliar to him, 
and his public addresses not infrequently evince the fact. 

**It was perfectly consistent with his lifelong convictions and 
his personal experiences that he should say as the first critical 
ipioment after the assassination approached ' Thy Kingdom come ; 



LAST FUNERAL RITBtt AT CANTON. «»! 

Thy will be done ;' and that he should declare at the last, ' It is 
God's will ; His will be done.' He lived grandly ; it was fitting 
that he should die grandly. And now that the majesty of death 
has touched and claimed him, we find that in his supreme moment 
he was still a conqueror. 

*' My friends and countrymen, with what language shall I 
attempt to give expression to the deep horror of our souls as I 
speak of the cause of his death? When we consider the magni- 
tude of the crime that has plunged the country and the world into 
unutterable grief, we are not surprised that one nationality after 
another has hastened to repudiate the dreadful act. This gentle 
spirit, who hated no one, to whom every man was a brother, was 
suddenly smitten by the cruel hand of an assassin, and that, too, 
while in the very act of extending a kind and generous greeting 
t® one who approached him under the sacred guise of friendship. 

THE CRIME A MYSTERY. 

*' Could the assailant have realized how awful was the act he 
was about to perform, how utterly heartless the deed, methinks 
he would have stayed his hand at the ver}^ threshold of it. In all 
the coming years men wall seek in vain to fathom the enormity 
of that crime. Had this man who fell been a despot, a try ant, an 
oppressor, an insane frenzy to rid the world of him might have 
sought excuse, but it was the people's friend who fell when Will- 
iam McKinley received the fatal wound. 

*' Himself a son of toil, his sympathies were with the toiler. 
No one who has seen the matchless grace and perfect ease with 
which he greeted such, can ever doubt that his heart was in his 
open hand. Every heart throbs for his countrymen. That his 
life should be sacrificed at such a time, just when there was 
abundant peace, when all the Americas were rejoicing together, is 
one of the inscrutable mysteries of Providence. Like many others 
it must be left for future revelations to explain. 

"In the midst of our sorrow we have much to console us. 
He lived to see his nation greater than ever before. All sectional 
lines are blotted out. There is no South, no North, no East, ao 



882 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

West Washington v^aw the beginning of our national life. Lin- 
coln passed through the night of our history and saw the dawn. 
McKinley beheld his country in the splendor of its noon. Truly 
he died in the fulness of his fame. With Paul he could say, and 
with equal truthfulness, ' I am now ready to be offered.* The 
work assigned him had been well done. The nation was at peace. 
We had fairly entered upon an era of unparalleled prosperity. 
Our revenues were generous. Our standing among the nations 
was secure. 

" Our President was safely enshrined in the affections of a 
united people. It was not at him that the fatal shot was fired, 
but at the very life of the Government. His offering was vicarious. 
It was blood poured upon the altar of human liberty. In view of 
these things we are not surprised to hear, from one who was 
present when this great soul passed away, that he never before 
saw a death so peaceful, or a dying man so crowned with grandeur. 

LESSONS OF THE TRAGEDY. 

" Let us turn now to a brief consideration of some of the les- 
sons that we are to learn from this sad event. 

*' The first one that will occur to us all is the old, old lesson, 
that — ' in the midst of life we are in death.* * Man goeth forth to 
his work and to his labor until the evening.* 

'' Our President went forth in the fulness of his strength, in 
his manly beauty, and was suddenly smitten by the hand that 
brought death with it. None of us can tell what a day may bring 
forth. Let us, therefore, remember that ' no man liveth to him- 
self, and none of us dieth to himself May each day's close see 
each day's duty done. 

"Another great lesson that we should heed is the vanity of 
mere earthly greatness. I In the presence of the Dread Messenger 
how small are all the trappings of wealth and distinctions of rank 
and power. I beseech you, seek Him, who said: *I am the 
resurrection and the life ; he that beHeveth in Me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth 
in Me shall never die.* There is but one Saviour for the sin-sick 



LAbT FUNERAL RlTi£b AT CANTON. iW\ 

and the weary. I entreat you, find Him as our brother fouud 
Him. 

" But our last words must be spoken. Little more than four 
years ago we bade him good-bye as he went to assume the great 
responsibilities to which the nation had called him. His last 
words as he left us were : ' Nothing could give me greater pleasure 
than this farewell greeting — this evidence of your frieudsliip and 
sympathy, your good will, and, I am sure, the prayers of all the 
people with whom I have lived so long and whose confidence and 
esteem are dearer to me than any other earthly honors. To all 
of us the future is as a sealed book ; but if I can, by ofiicial act 
or administration or utterance, in any degree add to the pros- 
perity and unity of our beloved country, and the advancement 
and well being of our splendid citizen ship^ I will devote the best 
and most unselfish efforts of my life to that end. With this 
thought uppermost in my mind, I reluctantly take leave of my 
friends and neighbors, cherishing in my heart the sweetest mem- 
ories and thoughts of my old home — my home now — and, I trust, 
m}^ home hereafter, so long as I live.' 

SLEEPS IN THE CITY HE LOVED. 

" We hoped with him that, when his work was done, freed 
from the burdens of his great office, crowned with the affections of a 
happy people, he might be permitted to close his earthly life in 
the home he had loved. 

" He has, indeed, returned to us, but how ? Borne to the 
strains of ' Nearer, My God, to Thee,' and placed where he first 
began life's struggle, that the people might look and weep at so 
sad a home coming. 

" But it was a triumphal march. How vast the procession ! 
The nation rose and stood with uncovered head. The people of 
the land are chief mourners. The nations of the earth weep with 
them. But oh, what a victory ! I do not ask you in the heat of 
public address, but in the calm moments of mature reflection, 
what other man ever had such high honors bestowed upon him, 
and by so many people? What pageant had equalled this that 



884 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

we look upon to-day ? We gave him to the nation but a little 
more than four years ago. He went out with the light of the 
morning upon his brow, but with his task set and the purpose to 
vomplete. We take him back a mighty conqueror ! 
•' ' The churchyard, where his children rest, 

The quiet spot that suits him best, 

There shall his grave be made, 

And there his bones be laid. 

And there his countrymen shall come, 

With memory proud, with pity dumb, 

And strangers, far and near, 

For many and many a year. 

For many and many an age, 

While history on her ample page 

The virtues shall enroll 

Of that paternal soul."' 

LAID TO REST. 

It was exactl}'' four minutes after four when the funeral car 
bore the remains of the dead President through the gateway of 
his last resting place. Twenty minutes after that time the brief 
services at the vault were over, the members of the family and 
the distinguished men of the nation who had come so far to do 
him honor had passed through the gates on their homeward way. 
One hour and forty minutes after the hearse had entered the 
cemetery the place was clear and the dead President was resting 
alone under the watchful care of the men of the regular army. 

A sentry's measured tread resounded from the cement walk 
before the vault, another kept vigil on the grassy slope above, 
and at the head and at the foot of the casket stood artned men. 
Before the door, which was not closed tight, was pitched the 
tent of the guard, and there it will remain until the doors are 
closed to-morrow. Sentries will then guard the vault every hour 
of the day and night until the body has been borne to its fin-al 
resting place. 

For nearly an hour before the head of the funeral procession 
arrived at the gate of the oemeterj'^ the strains of the dirges 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 885 

played by the bands came over tlie hilltops to the watchers by 
the vault, telling them that the procession was on its way. 
Finally, at 3.30 o'clock, the detachment of mounted police head- 
ing the parade came slowly around the corner of Lincoln street 
and passed up West Third street to the cemetery gates. Behind 
them came the Grand Army band of Canton, the solemn notes of 
*' Nearer, M}^ God, to Thee," welling out as it came up the drive- 
way. 

THE GRAND ARMY POSTS. 

A moment after entering the cemetery the music was 
changed to Chopin's Funeral Interlude, and it was to the sound 
of this that the band passed out and on to Kentucky avenue at 
the south side of the enclosure. Behind the band came the Grand 
Army posts, fully 500 of the veterans marching b3\ 

As they passed along the flower strewn path many of them 
were weeping bitterly, and they stooped by dozens to gather the 
blossoms which lay at their feet, and carried them away as memen- 
toes. The sweet pea blossoms that were scattered along the road 
were the offering of the school children of Nashville, Tenn., and 
no tribute of love that was seen during the funeral exercises 
more amply fulfilled its mission or more completely carried its 
message of affection. 

After the veterans came, in well set ranks, with rifles at 
"arms port," the men of the Sixth Ohio Infantry, of the National 
Guard, the Engineer Corps of the National Guard from Cleve- 
land, and the comrades of the late President in the ranks of the 
Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers during the Civil War. 

Then came a long line of carriages bearing the members of the 
family and the distinguished visitors. From the first carriage 
that stopped at the foot of the walk leading up to the vault, Presi- 
dent Roosevelt and Commander Cowles of the navy alighted. 
Without waiting for those in the second carriage, which contained 
Secretaries Root and Gage and Attorney-General Knox, the Presi- 
dent walked slowly toward the vault and took a position on the south 
side of the walk close to the door. As Secretary Root came up the 
walk he assumed a similar position on the north side of the walk, 

25 McK 



•i86 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

and the other members of the Cabinet ranged themselves by the side 
of the President and Secretary of War. 

With bared heads the President and members of the Cabinet, 
who were followed by the officers of the arm}^ and navy, stood on 
either side of the walk, the lines reaching jnst to the edge of the 
roadway. Within a minnte after the formation of the lines the 
funeral car came up the walk. The casket was gently lifted from 
the hearse and borne to the door of the vault, where it was rested 
upon the catafalque. It was carried by the same men of the 
army and navy who had carried it ever since it left Buffalo. 
Before them as it came up the the path walked Colonel Bingham, 
who had been aide to President McKinley. 

At its head on the right walked Lieutenant Hamlin of the 
army, and in a corresponding position on the left Lieutenant 
Eberle of the navy. Just as the bearers lowered it to the cata- 
falque, Abner McKinley and Mrs. Barber alighted from their 
carriage, and stood at the foot of the line of officers. They 
remained here for a few seconds and then passed up to the foot of 
the casket, where they remained during the brief services. 

BURIAL SERVICE. 

There wa^ a moment's pause as Colonel Bingham looked to 
see that all was in readiness. He then looked toward Bishop 
Joyce, of Minneapolis, who read the burial service of the Methodist 
Church, slowly, but in a voice that could be heard distinctly by 
all who were grouped around the vault. Instantly from eight 
bugles rang out the notes of the soldier's last call — "Taps." It 
was beautifully done, and the last notes of the bugles died away 
so softly that all who heard it remained listening for a few 
seconds to hear if it was really ended. 

When the last note had floated away Secretary Wilson M^as 
in tears, Secretary Hitchcock was also weeping, and the President 
was gazing grimly at the walk. It was the last moment for the 
men who had been so closely associated with the President for so 
long, and the thought seemed greater than most of them couio 
bear. 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 387 

It was all ended at last, and Captain Biddle, of Company C, 
of tHe Fourteentli Infantry, who will command the gnard wliich 
is to be placed around the vanlt, stepped np to a line of five sol- 
diers, which he had posted jnst north of the doorway, and who, 
throughout the ceremony, had stood at present arms as rigid as 
though carved out of iron. One of them passed quickly into the 
vault, taking station at the head of the casket, another placed 
himself at the foot, and three men stood in the doorway, two on 
the lower step and the third on the floor of the vault, directly 
behind them. There they remained until after the passage of the 
funeral procession. 

A graceful tribute from the pen of Maud McDougal follows : 
" No need to ask the way from the McKinley home to West- 
lawn Cemetery to-day. The veriest stranger could have found it. 
It led between two black banks of people, fringed with the blue 
and khaki of the National Guard of Ohio. The sorrowful journey 
was only once broken, and then at the church where he held his 

faith. 

LISTENED WITH BARED HEADS. 

" And the people without, the people who had loved him, 
crowded close, some of them inside the church, more on the steps 
and far out into the street, listening with bared heads and bated 
breath to the beliefs on which had been built so fine a life and so 
noble a death. Then once more the march of death was taken up 
to music, which now wailed of the woe of the people bereft, and 
again told in almost triumphant solemnity of a rest well earned. 

"Familiar hymn tunes acquired a new, if sombre, sweetness 
as they marked the rise and fall of the steps of those who accom- 
panied the city's hero but a little way on his journey. And the 
booming of the 'Dead March,' and the haunting sweetness of 
Chopin's Funeral March will ring in Canton's ears for many a 
day to come. To the sorrowing multitudes who knew that he 
was theirs for but a few minutes longer at best, the final passing 
of William McKinley from their lives, but not from their hearts, 
seemed to accomplish itself between the beats of a pulse. 

"To the few who were admitted to the cemetery and had 



388 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

stood for perhaps one hour, perhaps two, tense with expectation, 
it seemed an age from the time that the majestic distant notes of 
the great ' Dead March ' were first heard to the moment when the 
shrill, sweet notes of ' Flee As a Bird ' heralded the approach of 
the funeral party. It was the second division of the procession, 
however, in which interest centred. It was for it that all the 
other divisions were organized. And it, in its turn, was organized 
purely as an escort to a black-draped hearse, and to do honor to 
the still figure that lay under the flag for which it had offered its 
life to defend, its brain and best energy to glorify and in the 
services of which it had met death gloriously and ungrudgingly. 
"The formation of the procession was as follows : Troop A, 
in all the bravery of its glittering uniform, swept up the circle 
and ranged' itself under the trees to the right. After it, in pitiable 
contrast, came the 'President's Regiment,' or what was left of it, 
the regiment he fought with and endured with and won honor 
with through the Civil War. 

NO POMP OR PAGEANTRY. 

*' No arrogance of black and gold and red here, no pride of 
prancing hoofs — only thirty men, poor, many of them, and 
stricken in years ; men who had called McKinley ' Major' when 
they did not call him comrade, faltering in broken line, stopping 
one after another to pick up as precious souvenirs the flowers that 
the school children of Nashville had sent to strew the last stage 
of the President's journey, which lay between the wide gates of 
the cemetery and the narrow gates of the receiving vault. 

"Then came another contrast, bewilderingly different in its 
nature, as President Roosevelt, the members of the Cabinet, Min- 
isters from other lands and the officiating clergymen were driven 
up and alighted, a sorrow-stricken group, waiting to receive the 
mighty dead. It was an impressive sight as the hearse drew up. 
The whole side of the slope under which the receiving vault is 
built was buried in a mass of bloom, sent to show the sympathy of 
the whole world — of far Australia, of Canada, of Brazil and Chile, 
of Continental Europe and Central America — with a nation's loss. 



LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 3S9 

*' The twelve stalwart bearers, representing all branches of 
both army and navy, who had all through the sad journey lifted 
their loved burden lovingly and borne it tenderly, took the weight 
on their broad shoulders for almost the last time, and the admi- 
rals and commanding officers of both branches of the service 
lined themselves upon either side of the flag-draped, flower-cov- 
ered casket. 

" In long double lines from the entrance to the vault to the 
edge of the driveway these dignitaries ranged, their heads rever- 
ently bared, in order of their rank, from Roosevelt and Gage down 
to the military and naval men. At their head, the black entrance 
to the vanlt yawning behind him, the flag-draped bier within show- 
ing but dimly, stood venerable Bishop Joyce waiting. 

BUGLERS SOUNDED "TAPS." 

" Bearing their loved burden high above all these honored 
heads, while a squad of buglers from the Canton G. A. R. band 
sounded taps, the soldiers and sailors advanced slowly to lay it 
at the churchman's feet. Solemnly the words of the Methodist 
service rang out that all might hear: 

" 'I heard a voice from heaven say, Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord.' 

" And for the last time the boys in blue lifted the weight of a 
nation's woe to their stalwart shoulders and, the good Bishop 
leading them in, bore it from the light of day to the gra}' gloom of 
the tomb. With streaming eyes, they who had been the Presi- 
dent's family, official and unofficial, watched it pass into the 
shadow. With heavy hearts they acquiesced in the posting of 
the guard, three men at the entrance to the tomb and one at tlie 
head, one at the foot of the bier, which seemed to shut them who 
loved and shared his life out from him as effectually as it did the 
veriest stranger. 

"Then, since on the isolation of death even they must not 
intrude, they turned sadly away. Following them came Senators 
and Representatives, the great majority of the people's representa- 
tives at Washington, each, as he passed the guarded doorway. 



890 LAST FUNERAL RITES AT CANTON. 

reverently uncovering. After them walked tlie federal emploj^es 
of four great cities. It must have been nearly 7 o'clock when 
the last of these filed past the door of the open tomb, when the 
last head was bared, and the last tear-dimmed eyes that sought 
out the vague shape of the bier in the shadow behind the impas- 
sive guard." 



CHAPTER XX. 

Magnificent Tributes to Mr. McKinley— Eloquent Eulogies 
from Celebrities— Grief and Indignation— The President's 
Virtues and Character Extolled. 

LJON. WAYNE MacVEAGH, wlio was Attorney-General in 
^ ^ President Garfield's Cabinet, said at a great memorial 
meeting in Philadelphia : 

" I am quite incapable of making you any formal address 
to-night. Others will discharge that duty, and I am here simply 
as one of you, to stand side by side with you in this expression of 
our share in the universal sorrow which binds the nation together 
North and South and East and West as a united people, mourn- 
ing for their chosen leader, who has been so suddenly and so 
cruelly taken from them. 

'' It has happened to me to know intimately and well each of 
our martyred Presidents. It is thirty-six years since, in obedience 
to the request of President Lincoln, I reached Washington in the 
dim gray of an April morning to find that he was dead. It is just 
twenty years ago to-night since I sat by President Garfield as he 
died. It is only twelve days ago that all the joy of reaching 
home was changed into unutterable grief and pain by learning 
that President McKinley had been shot ; and now he also is 
hidden from ns in the grave. 

" It was eminently fitting that this great and noble city 
should array herself in the habiliments of mourning and give 
this solemn and impressive celebration of the feelings of her 
citizens at the appalling calamity which has befallen us. With 
the Mayor in the chair, surrounded by this vast concourse of her 
representative citizens of all parties and denominations and of 
every walk in life, with solemn music, and with the presence of 
the reverend clergy, Philadelphia attests her grief in a manner 
worthy of her and worthy of the affection felt for her by the 
beloved President whose loss she mourns ; for he was in the habit 

391 



892 I\IAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

of frequently expressing his great regard for our city, feeling, as 
he once said to me, when he was here, as if he was at home. 

*' What is to be said in the way of eulogy must be said by 
others. I do not feel equal to it, but some things all men know. 
He was a brave and faithful soldier in as righteous a war as was 
ever waged. As Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means 
he was necessarily influential while framing tariffs in assisting 
others toward the making of great fortunes ; but whatever he did 
was done because he believed it to be for the general welfare ; and 
no suspicion ever existed, not only of improper gain, but not even 
improper motive on his part. 

TOO GOOD TO BE GREEDY. 

" Like Lincoln and Garfield, he was too good an American to 
care to be rich. As a husband, he has left us a measure of duty 
in self-denial to which few of us can hope to attain. A professed 
believer in the Christian religion, he lived more nearly in obe- 
dience to its requirements, and was more fully imbued with the 
spirit of the Master than is often found in this practical and 
metallic age. Indeed, there need be no better test of his true 
Christian spirit than that his only reported allusion to his mur- 
derer was an entreaty in his behalf, and his last words assuredly 
were suggested by the words of our Lord on the Mount of Olives: 
' God's will, not ours, be done.' 

*' Yes, we have lost three noble President's by the assassin's 
hands, and all the assasins were native-born Americans. The 
first was a scholar, and used a Latin quotation to justify his hate, 
born of the Civil War. The second was an educated man, and 
his act was due to what he supposed was an unequal distribution 
of the spoils of office. 

" Of the real motive of the assassin of President McKinle}^ 
we know too little yet to form a final judgment ; but surely the 
alarming outbreak of bitter hatred appearing about in so many 
different parts of the country requires the earnest and serious con- 
sideration of all good citizens, for he must learn the true cause of 
them before he can be able to apply an effective remedy. It will. 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. n!»n 

however, always be true that, under the whole wide canopy of 
Heaven, there can be found no antidote to hate but love. 

" Meanwhile, we may all rejoice that the Bench and ]^>ar of 
Buffalo are reflecting credit upon the whole country by again 
securing reverence for the calm, orderly and resistless processes 
of the law. 

"And after all, my friends, it is upon the processes of the 
law that you and I must, in the last resort, depend for the per- 
petuity and the greatness of the Government our dead President 
loved so devotedly, and which he believed, as you and I believe to 
be, in spite of all abatement, the best Government under which 
men have ever lived, and no other form of government could in 
a single generation have produced and conducted to the seat of 
the Chief Magistracy three such rulers as Ivincoln, Garfield and 
McKinley. 

*' We grieve at having lost them, but we are proud having 
had them as our Presidents. Our hearts just now are full of 
sorrow at losing him we have met to mourn. 

" 'And while the races of mankind endure 

Let their great examples stand 

Colossal seen of every land. 
To keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure, 

Till in all lands and through all human story 

The path of duty be the way to glory,' " 

ELOQUENT WORDS OF ARCHBISHOP RYAN. 

*' Honored by an invitation to speak on this sad and solemn 
occasion, I naturally regard it from the religious standpoint. 
Religion is an integral portion of our nature, as real as the intel- 
lectual or material portion of it, and cannot be ignored in indi- 
vidual or national character. It has had more influence on our 
race than any other power. I am gratified to state that the 
deceased President recognized its great claims ; that, according to 
his convictions and the dictates of his conscience, he was a 
religious man. His forgiveness of his murderer and his profound 
submission to the Divine will, expressed in these words, 'This is 



394 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

God's way. His will, not ours, be done,' shows clearly tlie power 
of religion over liim. 

*' THat lie was fair to those who differed from his religious 
convictions I am persuaded. I know, on the best authority, that 
as Governor of Ohio he was kind, almost partial, to the Catholics 
of that State when it was unpopular to be such. I had occasion 
to visit him in the interest of the Catholic Indians, and I am 
satisfied that whatever concessions were made were made through 
his influence, and that full justice would have been done to them 
could he have followed the impulses of his heart, which public 
men cannot always do. 

" But, ladies and gentlemen, there are thoughts that force 
themselves upon us to-night, greater and more important than 
the consideration of the personal religion of any individual, how- 
ever exalted and lamented. These refer to the welfare of the 
country, which the deceased President loved, served and ruled. 
They are, I believe, thoughts of gravest moment, and appropriate 
to this occasion. 'Better is the house of mourning than the 
house of joy,' for the consideration of these questions. 

CHIEF ERROR OF OUR AGE. 

"One of the greatest errors of our age and country is disre- 
gard in State and Church of principles and doctrines. It matters 
little, it is said, what men believe and teach, provided they do not 
act in disobedience of law. We relegate principles and doctrines 
to the region of theory, and take cognizance only of actions. 
Occasionally the public is awakened to a sense of the fallacy of 
this position. A few years ago the body of a young man was 
found. He had committed suicide and left a note stating that he 
was induced to do so by the defense of suicide in a lecture of 
Robert Ingersoll. Here were found cause and effect. The 
wretched man who has slain the President of the United States 
assures us that he was influenced to do so by the speeches and 
writings of a woman Anarchist — another instance of cause and 
effect. 

" ' Wars between men may cease,' says Edmund Burke, 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLE\. 305 

' wars between principles shall never cease.' By conquest or coni- 
promise wars between men cease ; but principles are in eternal 
antagonism. It is illogical and suicidal to ignore principles and 
doctrines as they will inevitably act themselves out into actions 
for good or evil. Men say we want only the morality of Christi- 
anity, but without its dogmas, as if these dogmas did not create 
and cannot alone perpetuate that morality. Again they say, ' \Vc 
care not what the Anarchist writes or speaks, provided he does 
not kill.' As if the writing and speaking addressed to young and 
fiery hearts ma}^ not lead to murder. 

WHERE IS THE REMEDY? 

" But it may be asked, Where is the remedy ? You cannot 
legislate the world into morality. You cannot, in a free country, 
prevent free speech and the liberty of the press. You may say it 
is not the liberty of speech or press I would prevent, but its 
license. But who is to be judge between liberty and license? 
Ah, gentlemen, the truth is, we need a power that shall go deeper 
than can the legislator and his law, that goes right straight to 
the very core of conscience. We need more religion. Con- 
science is the great arbiter to decide what is liberty and what is 
license. And we need religion that is not merely sentimental, 
but doctrinal ; not merely of God in His merc}^, but of God in 
His justice also ; not merely of heaven and its joys, but of hell 
and its just punishments. 

" Because this is a land of liberty, and there are fewer 
restraining influences from without, we need the more from 
within. I am alarmed for the future of this Republic if disregard 
and contempt for religious doctrines should increase. No nation 
has ever continued to live without religion and its restraints. 
Uncivilized nations are conquered from without, but civilized 
ones from within, by the force of their own passions. 

" Egypt, Greece and Rome lived because of truths, mixed, it 
is true, with falsehoods, which their religions possessed. There 
was much of conservative truth in the religion of the pagans. 
They believed in God and Providence, and future reward and 



896 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

punisliment for the observance or violation of law, human and 
divine. Our modern unbelievers would sweep all these truths 
away, and with them they would sweep away this glorious young 
Republic. . 

"If we are to perpetuate this splendid Republic, we must 
perpetuate Christianity to protect it. On this most solemn occa- 
sion, and standing in spirit by the newly made grave of our 
murdered President, and in the name of the Founder of Christi- 
anity, whom we all love, I ask you to keep the deposit of 
Christianity and hand it down as the richest heritage you can 
leave to your posterity and your beloved country." 

When informed of the death of President McKinley, Hon. 
John Wanamaker, who was a memebr of President Harrison's 
Cabinet, made the following statement : 

MILLIONS OF HEARTS IN AGONY. 

"The passing on of William McKinley is an awful mystery. 
There are millions of hearts that are overwhelmed with agony. 
As against the miserable creature called a man who destroyed 
this noble life there are thousands and thousands of men in the 
United States, noble and true, who would unhesitatingly and 
gladly have given their lives if his could have been spared, so full 
was it of gifts and graces, of growth and of genuine goodness. 

" Almost like a flash in the sky he passed on without spot 
or decay or the withering of powers to the eternal and enduring. 
He lived and died nobly. 'Good-bye,' he said 'good-bye to all. 
It is God's way.' Always a sage and a soldier, and now a saint." 

The Right Rev. Ozi W. Whitaker, Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, Diocese of Pennsylvania, gave the following 
estimate of the life and character of the late President : 

"There can be but one opinion as to the character of the late 
President McKinley. It was of the highest type of Christian man- 
hood. I knew him personally, having met him on every occasion 
on which he visited Philadelphia as President, and I have been 
impressed, as ever3^oue who came in contact with him must have 
been, with his qualities as a man, a statesman and a Christian. 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLJ:Y. 3'J7 

"The address lie delivered at Buffalo the day before he 
received his death wound was the latest illustration of the far- 
seeing, broad-minded statesmanship for which he was noted. 
From the time he was shot till his death the spirit of fortitude 
and magnanimity he displayed touched all hearts. His death 
was the death of a sincere Christian, It is certain that he will 
always be remembered with peculiar affection by the American 
people, and I believe he will hold in their minds and hearts as 
high a place as any President who preceded him." 

FROM A WELL KNOWN BISHOP. 

Bishop Whitaker issued the following letter to the clergy of 
his diocese, instructing them to hold a memorial service for the 
late President : 

"To the Clergy of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Dear 
brethren : In accordance with the proclamation of the President 
of the United States, I recommend that the several congregations 
of the diocese hold a memorial service to our late beloved President 
in their respective churches, on Thursday, September 19, at 11 
o'clock A. M. A form of service will be sent to yon later. The 
hymns suggested seem most appropriate, but you may substitute 
others in your discretion." 

Through the courtesy of the " Boston Globe " we present to 
the reader a number of touching tributes to Mr. McKinley from 
the pens of our most gifted authors. They appeared in the 
Memorial Edition of this journal and occupy the remainder of the 

chapter : 

EVEN AS A CHILD. 

EVEN as a child to whom sad neighbors speak, 
In a symbol, saying that his father " sleeps " — 
Who feels their meaning, even as his cheek 

Feels the first teardrop as it stings and leaps — 
Who keenly knows his loss, and yet denies 
Its awful import — grieves unreconciled, 
Moans, drowses, rouses, with new-drowning eyes — 
Even as a child. 



898 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

Even as a child ; with empty, aimless hand 

Clasped sudden to the heart all hope deserts — 
With tears that blur all lights on sea or land — 

The lip that quivers and the throat that hurts — 
Even so, the nation that has known his love 

Is orphaned now ; and, whelmed in anguish wild, 
Knows but its sorrow and the ache thereof, 

Even as a child. James Whitcomb Riley. 



N 



A NATION IN SORROW. 

ATION bright with the sunrise glow- 
Full of the century's throbbing — 
Why do you bow your head so low? 

Why do we hear you sobbing ? 
Death has climbed to my highest place, 
And tears of a people are no disgrace; 
Sorrow is better told than kept ; 
And grief is holy, for God has wept. 

Nation with banner of oldest birth, 
Stars to the high stars sweeping. 

Why have you not a flag on earth 
But to the half-mast creeping ? 

Many a brave man had to die 

To hold those colors against the sky ; 

Agonies such as this reveal 

That every banner to Heaven must knedl. 

Nation with tasks that might appal 

Planets of weak endeavor. 
Why did the best man of you all 

Sail from your shores forever ? 
Not forever, and not from sight, 
But nearer to God's sweet, kindly light ; 
Through the mists to a stormy sea, 
Where all the heroes of ages be. 

Nation with weapons fierce and grim, 
Sharpen with rage your sadness ; 

Tear the murderer limb from limb — 
Torture him into madness ! 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 8Wk 

No ! I have Heaven too much in awe 
The law to avenge with lack of law ; 
Take we the soul from its tainted clod, 
And lay it down at the feet of God. 

Nation whose love for home ne'er dies, 

Cruel the clouds that hover ! 
What do you say when a woman cries, 

"Give me my husband lover?" 
Sad heart, carry the grievous wrong, 
In Faith's own arms ; it will not be long, 
Here, and in lands you never knew, 
He more than ever will comfort you. 

Nation of many tribes and lands — 

Strength of the world's best nations. 
Say ! would a million murderous hands 

Crumble your deep foundations ? 
Never ! No poison e'er can bhght 
The flowers and fruitage of Truth and Right ; 
Never ! the land that the tryant fears 
Shall hve in splendor a thousand years. 

Will Carleton. 

THE DARKENED SKIES. 

THE air was filled with music, every heart 
Throbbed its thanksgiving for the season's wealth. 
With splendors piled appeared the magic mart 

Whose arches gave their echoes for thy health. 

Thy train made entrance on the brilliant scene 
Like the fair galley of a victor crowned ; 

While Nature smiled, propitious and serene. 

Thine and the Nation's heart the death blow founi 

Dark grow the skies, the sounds of joy are hushed. 

Reason can scarce attest the sudden change ; 
When did the flower of hope, so fully flushed. 

So swiftly fail, with portent sad and strange? 



400 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

Thine was the glory of successful rule, 

Thine, in thy manly youth, the warrior's wreath. 
For what of thy good service might a fool 

Aim at thy breast, unarmed, the stroke of death ? 
The garlands hung on thy triumphal way 

Shall now be heaped thy mournful bier above. 
Yet with best conquest ends the noble day. 

Resigning life, but keeping faith and love. 

Jui.iA Ward Howe. 

MOURNED BY EVERY AMERICAN. 

He was the Head of tlie Nation, lie fell in its service, tlie base 
hand that took his life struck dead the hostility in every feeling 
heart that harbored it, and he passes to the peace of the grave 
mourned not by such as were his friends, only, but by all who 
bear the American name. 

Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain). 

A FIXED STAR IN OUR FIRMANENT. 

As the name of William McKinley becomes fixed in the firma- 
ment of our nation's history it appears to us at once, and seems 
destined to remain to us, a name to charm by. Can we say now, so 
soon, in what his greatness consists, and what is to prove at last 
the broadest measure of his permanent fame ? With certainty, cer- 
tainly not; yet there is a solace in the effort to do so, that at least 
explains, if it does not amply justify, so early an endeavor. 

A living statesman of one of the dynastic governments of 
Europe is currently quoted as saying that the fame of our late 
President will be that he was the greatest commercial statesman 
of his time. If this be so, and it seems very near the truth, what, 
then, is the greatness, and what are the limitations of "com- 
mercial " statesmanship ? Is it nearly or quite the highest 
degree, or is it nearly or quite the lowest ? Other states- 
men have delivered their peoples from the perfidy of tyrants, from 
the oppression of nobles, from debasing iniquities of ancient cus- 
toms, from bigots, fanatics and robber hordes ; was their states- 
manship, therefore, larger than a commercial statesmanship 
may be ? 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLKY. 401 

Or is it not true that for our crowuing question we ask con- 
cerning sucli rulers, " What — after they had dragged down tlie 
despot, hurled back the invader, obliterated the pit of degradation 
— Avhat was their wisdom and power to uplift and push forward 
those industries of peace which prosper the main mass of men, 
and give them opportunity and incentive for the arts, the sciences, 
the virtues; how much did their statesmanship do to fill the sail, 
to oil the wheel, to light the mine, to speed the' plow and the loom ? " 

GREAT COMMERCIAL QUESTIONS. 

It is only when we contemplate the world-wide reach of great 
commercial questions, the bewildering intricacies of conflicting 
interests and theories, the far-reaching disastrousness of their 
misunderstanding, and the vast beneficence of their correct solu- 
tion, that we are prepared to confess the greatness of a mind and 
soul that confronts and answers them with supreme mastery. 

The hoary Eastern question is and has always been a prob- 
lem of commercial statesmanship. Such is four-fifths of every 
foreign policy of Europe. It \vas a blunder of commercial states- 
manship that lost to Great Britain her American colonies, and it 
is on commercial statesmanship that her modern greatness is 
largely founded. A potential factor in the long decay of Spain 
has been her lack of commercial statesmanship, and commercial 
statesmanship is to-day the consuming study of every worthy 
sovereign and of every cabinet in the civilized world. 

If it ever seems necessary to write that he whose loss leaves 
our nation widowed wrought no mighty changes in our general 
legislation, achieved no vast reform in our institutions, and 
righted no great wrongs between conflicting elements of the popu- 
lation, the word must go with it that his public life was without 
a stain of dishonor, that he was a model of private virtue, duty 
and affection, a true and ardent lover of mankind, and that in the 
mighty functions of commercial statesmanship he w^as easily first 
among contemporary statesmen and rulers, the greatest of his 

time. 

George W. Cable. 

26McK 



402t MAGX^iFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

AT THE EXPOSITION, 

THE devil's best tools 
Are the fingers of fools. 
All pious, good people, 
Who live in a steeple, 
Over spire and gilt vane 
Whirling round, round again 
Like joy behind sorrow or ease after pain 
But the worst, most accursed. 
Is prim and sedate 
He stands up straight. 
So lowly elate, 
But creeps through the gate 
Into rooms of the great, 
And cowers in the chamber of State. 
Let him learn, if he can 
The first lesson of Man, 
The last, for he must. 
He shall learn, and discern 
The fire of live coals in our urn. 

Richard Henry Stoddard. 
A PATRIOT OF THE NOBLEST TYPE, 

William McKinley, like some wlio went before him, dies a 
martyr to republican institutions. It was for tbose institutions 
that our fathers fought and died in two great wars. And the 
President of this Republic represents those institutions more 
than any other man. 

The nation had been gradually making up its mind about 
William McKinley. But now that he has gone from our midst, 
we realize suddenly that he possessed many of those qualities, 
the value of which is inestimable in his situation. 

He was first of all a patriot of the noblest type. For he had 
the good of his country nearest his heart. He never sought to 
exalt himself at the expense of his country. Rather he sought 
to efface himself in his submission to the desires of the people. 
He was willing to hear and heed the opinions of the humblest 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR McKINLEY. 408 

citizen. It was sometimes said of him tliat he was dominated. 
He was dominated, but by no man. He was dominated by the 
voice of his countrymen. William McKiuley will live in history 
as a President of great dignity, moderation and wisdom ; as a 
God-fearing man, whose life was an example to his fellow-citizens. 
And the best that can be said of him is that he was an American. 
It is well to remember that a government of the people has 
just as much right to protect itself from its enemies as has a 

monarchy 

Winston Churchill. 

A MAN OF GENEROUS NATURE. 

While I feel my inadequacy to the task, I am highly honored 
in being selected with others to express sorrow at the cruel deed 
that has brought desolation to a home and grief to a nation. 

In doing so it may not be uninteresting to detail a few 
incidents that \^ill exhibit the social and kindly side of Mr. 
McKinley's generous nature. Some years ago I visited Canton, 
O., in my professional capacity. During my engagement I was 
invited to meet the then Congressman McKinley at the house of 
one of his relatives. He entered the room with his invalid wife 
leaning on his arm, and I often noticed during the evening his 
attentive and affectionate solicitude for his companion. His 
.manner was most cordial and friendly. 

Our next meeting was in Cleveland, where we dined together 
in company with Mr. Robert Lincoln and Mr. Mark Hanna. 
That night the entire party came to the theatre to see the comedy 
of the " Rivals," acted by the star cast. 

After the performance, the Congressman came behind the 
curtain and was introduced to the company. He expressed his 
enjoyment of the play, remarking how strange it was that such 
talent was not oftener brought together. " Possibly," he said 
'St might be dangerous to give the public too much of a good 
thing " Our next meeting was after he became President, my 
wife and I lunching with his family at the executive mansion. 
General and Mrs. Miles were also of the company. The President 



404 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY, 

seemed interested in tlie history of the stage, and enjoyed remi- 
niscences of it or anecdotes of actors with great relish. 

Passing throngh Washington on my way to Florida, I called 
to pa}^ m\^ respects. This was just at the time when strained 
relations were tightening their grip upon America and Spain. 
The President spoke of these, but expressed a hope that serious 
trouble might be avoided. I told him that I traveled much, and 
that I gleaned from the expressions of Avise and thoughtful men 
that the country did not want war. He replied, " I am glad to 
hear it." This was before the destruction of the " Maine." I 
have met him several times since, and to me his views seemed 
broad and liberal. 

I w^as never more shocked that when the terrible news of the 
assassination was brought to me ; our household was in a fever 
of excitement, our very domestics in tears ; and now, that the 
worst has come, a home made desolate and a nation plunged in 
sorrow, we can only hope that time may soften the blow, and that 
wise legislation may place a barrier that will forever prevent the 
reoccurrence of such an act. Joseph Teffekson 



T 



A LIFE'S STORY. 

'WO together and only two- — 
One a soldier and one a maid; 

Ev'ry skyis heavenly blue, 

And all the dim forebodings fade. 

Two together and only two — 
One a husband and one a wife, 

Ready to walk the wide world through. 
Heart and hand on the road of lifce 

Two together and only two — 

Fronting Fortune and braving fean*— 

Two together and only two 

Above two little graves in tears. 

Two together and only two- 
He a Nation's chosen chief 

She a wife to follow through 

The massive gates that lead to grieC 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 4<)fi 

Two together and only two — 

One to watch, with all love's wealth, 
One to walk \nid wilds of rue 

To seek the pleasant paths of health 

Two together and only two — 

See the clouds and pains depart 
From the Land's first lady, who 

Is still first lady of his heart, 

Two together and only two — 

Cannons boom and cities cheer, 
Skies are bright and friends arc true ; 

Who shall say that death is near? 

Two together and only two- 
Joy seems sure forever more, 

Yet the hand that miUions drew 

Of hearts has opened Death's dark door- 

Two together and only two — 

While amid his own he stands, 
Death now breaks the circle through 

And grasps him with his vise-like hands- 

Two together and only two — 

Never death such loving parts, 
Loyal wife and husband true. 

For Love hath wed your hands and hea-ta. 

Two together and only two — 

Peoples pray that you may meet 
Where the dark skies change to blue, 

And all that's bitter turns to sweet. 

John li;jWNb. 

HIS PLACE IN THE NATIONAL HEART. 

Who has yet invented the smokeless powder of grief ? The 
first enaotions consequent on a great pnblic f^'^^F^^^^'i^;^ 
the blur of an old-fashioned battle ; it is only when .he atmosphere 
clears that we besjin to see anything plainly. 

The nation i^ undergoing something like what the surgeons 



406 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

call stock. Tlie sense of immeasurable outrage is yet so keen, 
the effects of a ragged wound are yet so severe, that we scarcely 
know where, or why, we are most huic. 

While the black draped train goes ploughing its M^ay through 
flowers half across the continent, while the nation stands uncov- 
ered before the catafalque, who can calmly estimate the martyr's 
personality ? But it is not his position in history that you seek 
to define ; it is his place at tnis hour in the national heart. There 
can be no doubt that this is a very sti ^ng, warm place. The pub- 
lic affection olcses upon him jeaiously. Few men of our times 
have shown a more remarKabto power to make friends, and what 
is more, to retain them vfoi* these twain are not one) than William 

McKinley. 

PERSONAL KINDLINESS. 

Whoever differed from him, on great matters or small, seems 
to have been half won over, and wholly mollified by the personal 
kindliness and courtesy of the man. Political opponents, or those 
of his own party who could not follow his policy, are among the 
first to do him honor now. 

I remember how geneiously and courteously the entreating 
protests of one citizen against the impending war were received. 
These took the form ot letters so candid, so urgent, and so 
repeated that the writer could have felt no surprise if they had 
been disregarded altogether. Many another must have had 
similar experience and come away from it, convinced of the sin- 
cerity and *,yjnccientiousness of the man. 

These personal traits ran all through his character. Most 
remarkable has been the tribute of the nation to McKinle}^, the 
man of common, human virtues. He was a Christian believer 
who loved his God, and was never afraid to say so; who, Christ- 
like, forgave his murderer on the first impulse, not the second ; 
who said : " Don't let them hurt him," before the smoke from the 
assassin's revolver had spent itself in the air ; who died breathing 
out his soul in sacred words, the sincerity of which commands 
absolute respect. In a time when faith is darkened, and religious 
character unfashionable, let him be remembered for these things. 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 407 

Most toucliing, too, and quite as remarkable has been the 
profound, wide and genuine reverence offered to the donicsti. 
qualities of the man. In a day when, as one has well said, tlu- 
great national danger is "the decadence of the home idea," his 
private life shows like an uplifted hand — pointing to something 
higher and more elect than most of us attain to in the stress and 
disillusion of daily life. 

He, the husband of an invalid wife who was never suffered to 
feel that her misfortunes encroached upon his comfort, sapped 
his strength, wearied his patience, or reduced his affection, 
deserves all the tender tears that fall upon his bier — and more. 

Many an obscure citizen, called to cherish an ailing wife at 
cost of personal sacrifices known only to himself and to her, will 
feel bis burden lighter, his love warmer, his courage stronger, 
for this great example. And many a sick woman, thinking : 
"How tender he is to me to-day !" will have reason to bless the 
quiet influence of the dead President, who found it inevitable and 
made it manly to put the needs of the woman he had loved and 
wedded forever in the foreground of his heart and of his life. 

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward. 

SLAIN BY A HUMAN REPTILE. 

President McKinley's murder belongs, as do those of Lincoln 
and Garfield, to the category of crimes that cculd not be fore- 
seen, nor easily averted. It is like a clot of blood flung on a f lir 
picture by the hand of a ruffian. It is as though the man, rich 
in the love and respect of millions, had been bitten to death by a 
reptile or a rabid dog. We may crush the reptile ; we may kill 
the dog ; but their extermination will not bring back the precious 
life, nor atone for its loss. The loss is immeasurable, the puuish- 
ment utterly inadequate. 

A noble California redwood takes centuries to reach its per- 
fect growth. It may be destroyed in a day by a spark from a 
careless hunter's camp fire or by the ax of a soulless log-chopper 
When Lord Rosse had finished his great telescope, after years of 
skilful work, and at the cost of a fortune, lie generously exhibited 



408 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

it to tlie public ; and one of the first men who came to see it flung 
a huge stone full at the costly lens ! Fortunately his aim was as 
bad as his heart ; but that heart was filled with all the destructive 
spirit of an assassin. 

The same man would have as recklessly shot at a president, 
or king, or queen, not because either had wronged him, but 
because "the Lord had respect to Abel and to his offerings," and 
that was enough for Cain ! 

The vanity of human grandeur is brought home to us more 
vividly by such a tragedy than by the assassination of any royal 
potentate. A king or emperor is usually born to his high estate. 
A president is chosen from the ranks by the free will of the 
people; and by so much more is he "the state" itself than any 
anointed sovereign can be. It took over half a century to make 
a president of this man whom the people had tried and found 
worthy in almost every station of public life. It takes time to 
grow a redwood tree. Is it necessary that it should be in the 
power of any idle blackguard to cut it down with one blow ? I 
think not. 

HAND SHAKING CONDEMNED. 

There is nothing democratic about permitting anybody and 
everybody to shake the hand of the President. Rather is it a 
survival of the old royal fashion which attached a certain sanctity 
to the person of the ruler, and made the subject think that he 
was enjoying a peculiar privilege by being allowed to see and 
touch the precious object. The President is the chief servant of 
the people, and, as such, he has constant, serious, arduous work 
to do. His master has no right to interrupt him at his work, nor 
to intrude upon him in his leisure. Popular levees are a popular 
humbug, meaningless, tiresome, dangerous. Let us give our 
heroes the boon of individual freedom. 

Instead of doing that, we burden them with public " recep- 
tions," with parades, with fulsome panegyric, or stand them up 
to be kissed, after which we change the throne to the pillory and 
hurl ridicule at them in place of bouquets. Our hero does a truly 
daring deed, and he is forthwith thrust upon the lecture platform. 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. Wi 

Interviewed and photographed without mercy, and then given 
over to the wits and witlings because he has been too gracious to 
his foolish feminine admirers. 

Another is covered with laurels, until he offends tlic peculiar 
taste of an ill-mannered public by doing as he sees fit with tlie 
"Injun gift" of a house which he unwisely accepted from them. 
The government at this moment is sorting out the tar and 
feathers for one or the other or both of the two heroes wliom we 
set upon naval pedestals a couple of years ago. The hero in the 
hands of the pppulace is like the South American spider which 
must flee from the arms of his spouse before she has time to 

devour him I 

RISK OF LIFE. 

Our Presidents are too valuable to have their lives risked at 
the hands of any chance scoundrel covetous of wide-spread 
infamy. William McKinley, especially, was too choice a product 
of republican institutions to be destroyed b}^ an instrument of 
disorder. 

His successor is one of the bravest of men. Therefore, he 
should not be rash. Therefore, we, the people, should forego the 
empty privilege of forcing ourselves upon his privacy, or of 
asking him to exhibit himself for the delectation of the gaping 
multitude and the weapon of another possible Booth or Guiteau, 
or the ignoble beast with the crooked name who has just destroyed 
a great and good man. 

James Jeffrey Roche, (E'ditor of "The Pilot.") 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

Foully Assassinated April 14, 1865. 
This is the remarkable poem in which, on May 6, 1865, London " Punch " 
confessed its error, after having for four years lampooned Lincoln with 
pencil and with pen. It is attributed to Tom Taylor. 

'OU lay a wreath on murdered Lincoln's bier 
You, who with mocking pencil wont to trace. 
Broad for the self-complacent British sneer. 

His length of shambling limb, his furrowed face, 



Y' 



410 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 

His gaunt, gnarled hands, his unkempt, bristling hair, 
His garb uncouth, his bearing ill at ease, 

His lack of all we prize as debonair, 

Of power or will to shine, of art to please. 

You, whose smart pen backed by the pencil's laugh, 

Judging each step, as though the way were'plain ; 
Reckless, so it could point a paragraph, 

Of Chief's perplexity, or peoples' pain. 

Besides this corpse, that bears for winding-sheet 
The Stars and Stripes he lived to rear anew, 

Between the mourners at his head and feet. 

Say, scurrile-jester, is there room for you ? 

Yes, he had lived to shame me from my sneer, 

To lame my pencil, and confute my pen- 
To make me own this hind of princes peer, 

This rail-splitter, a true born king of men. 

My shallow judgment I had learned to rue, 

Noting how to occasion's hight he rose. 
How his quaint wit made home-truth seem more true, 

How, iron-like, his temper grew by blows. 

How humbled yet how hopeful he could be ; 

How in good fortune and in ill the same ; 
Nor bitter in success, nor boastful he, 

Thirsty for gold, nor feverish for fame. 

He went about his work — such work as few 

Ever had laid on head and heart and hand- 
As one who knows, where there's a task to do, 

Man's honest will must Heaven's good grace command ; 

Who trusts the strength will with the burden grow. 

That God makes instruments to work His will 
If but that will we can arrive to know, 

Nor tamper with the weights of good and ill 

So he went forth to battle, on the side 

That he felt clear was Liberty's and Right's 

As in his peasant boyhood he had piled 

His warfare with rude nature's thwarting mights — - 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR. McKINLEY. 4H 

The uncleared forest, the unbroken soil, 

The iron-bark, that turns the laborer's ax, 
The rapid that o'eibears the boatman's toil, 

The prairie, hiding the mazed wanderer's tracks, 
The ambushed Indian, and the prowling bear — 

Such were the needs that helped his youth to train ; 
Rough culture — but such trees large fruit may bear, 

If but their stocks be of right girth and grain. 

So he grew up, a destined work to do, 

And lived to do it ; four long suffering years. 
Ill-fate, ill-fortune, ill-report, lived through. 

And then he heard the hisses changed to cheers. 

The taunts to tribute, the abuse to praise, 

And took both with the same unwavering mood ; 

Till, as he came on light, from darkling days. 

And seemed to touch the goal from whl-re he stood, 

A felon hand, between the goal and him. 

Reached from behind his back, a trigger prest— 
And those perplexed and patient eyes were dim. 

Those gaunt, long-laboring limbs were laid to rest I 

The words of mercy were upon his lips, 

Forgiveness in his heart and on his pen, 
When this vile murderer brought swift eclipse 

To thoughts of peace on earth, good will to men. 

The Old World and the New, from sea to sea, 

Utter one voice of sympathy and shame ! 
Sore heart, so stopped when it at last beat high, 

Sad life, cut short just as its triumph came. 

A deed accurst! Strokes have been struck before 

By the assassin's hand, whereof men doubt 
If more of horror or disgrace they bore ; 

But thy foul crime, like Cain's, stands darkly out 

Vile hand, that brandest murder on a strife, 

Whate'er its grounds, stoutly and nobly striven ; 

And with the martyr's crown crownest a life 
With much to praise little to be forgiven ! 



F 



412 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR, McKINLEY, 

AFTER THE BURIAL,. 

Written for the "Boston Globe's" Garfield Memorial Edition, Sept. 27, 1881 

I. 

ALLEN with autumn's falling leaf, 

Ere yet his summer's noon was past. 

Our friend, our guide, our trusted chief-— 

What words can match a woe so vast, 

And whose the chartered claim to speak 

The sacred grief where all have part, 
When sorrow saddens every cheek 

And broods in every aching heart ? 

Yet nature prompts the burning phrase 
That thrills the hushed and shrouded hall, 

The loud lament, the sorrowing praise, 
The silent tear that love let's fall. 

In loftiest verse, in lowliest rhyme, 

Shall strive unblamed the minstrel choir-— 

The singers of the new-born time 

And trembling age with outworn lyre. 

No room for pride, no place for blame-— 

We fling our bosoms on the grave 
Pale — scentless — faded — all we claim, 

This only — what we had we gave. 

Ah, could the grief of all who mourn 

Blend in one voice its bitter cry. 
The wail to Heaven's high arches borne 

Would echo through the caverned sky. 

II. 
O happiest land whose peaceful choice 

Fills with a breath its empty throne ! 
God, speaking through thy people^s voice. 

Has made that voice for once his own. 

No angry passion shakes the state 

Whose weary servant seeks for rest 
And who could fear that scowling hate 

Would strike at that unguarded breast ? 



MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR, McKINLEY, 4U 

He stands, unconscious of his doom 

In manly strength, erect, serene — 
Around him summer spreads her bloom — 

He fails — what horror clothes the scene 1 

How swift the sudden flash of woe 

Where all was bright as childhood's dream I 

As if from heaven's ethereal bow 

Had leaped the lightning's arrowy gleam. 

Blot the foul deed from- history's page — 

Let not the all betraying sun 
Blush for the day that stains an age 

When murder's blackest wreath was won. 

Pale on his couch the sufferer lies, 

The weary battleground of pain ; 
Love tends his pillow, science tries 

Her every art, alas ! in vain. 
The strife endures how long ! how long \ 

Life, death, seem balanced in the scale, 
While round his bed a viewless throng 

Awaits each morrow's changing tale. 

In realms the desert ocean parts 

What myriads watch with tear-filled eyea 

His pulse beats echoing in their hearts, 
His breathing counted with their sighs I 

Slowly the stores of life are spent. 

Yet hope still battles with despair — 
Will Heaven not yield when knees are bent? 

Answer, O Thou that hearest prayer ! 

But silent is the brazen sky — 

On sweeps the meteor's threatening train — 
Unswerving Nature's mute reply, 

Bound in her admantine chain. 

Not ours the verdict to decide 

Whom death shall claim or skill shall save; 

The hero's life though Heaven denied 
It gave our land a martyr's grave 



414 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTES TO MR, McKINLEY. 

Nor count the teaching vainly sent 

How human hearts their griefs may share — 

The lesson woman's love has lent, 

What hope may do, what faith can bear ! 

Farewell ! the leaf-strown earth enfolds 
Our stay, our pride, our hopes, our fears, 

And autumn's golden sun beholds 
A nation bowed, a world in tears. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Additional Tributes to President McKinley — Messages from 
Crov/ned Heads — Canada Observes the Day of Obse- 
quies — All Business Suspended Throughout Our Country. 

REPLYING to Mrs. McKinley's ackuowledgment of his tele- 
gram of sympathy, King Edward telegraphed to Ambas- 
sador Choate : 

" Please convey to Mrs. McKinley my best thanks for her 
kind message. The Queen and I feel most deeply for her in the 
hour of her great affliction and pray that God may give her 
strength to bear her heavy cross. Our thoughts will to-day be 
especially with the American nation when its distinguished Presi- 
dent is laid to rest. "Edward R." 

Throughout Ontario the day of the funeral was observed as 
a day of mourning for the late President McKinley. In accord- 
ance with instructions from Ottawa, the schools and courts in 
Toronto and other cities were closed. Memorial services, attended 
by crowds, were held by the leading churches, where tributes 
were paid to the martyred President and his favorite hymns were 

sung. 

The Dominion Methodist Church at Ottawa was crowded 
with those who took part in the memorial services. Rev. S. G. 
Bland, Methodist, and Rev. A. A. Cameron, Baptist, delivered 
brief sermons and all the other Protestant denominations assisted 
in the service. In front of the pulpit the Union Jack and the 
Stars and Stripes were crossed and draped in black. The church 
was also draped and decorated and the choir was all in 

black. 

Rev. Mr. Bland spoke of McKinley as a typical American 
citizen and said that a country which could produce such men as 
I^incoln, Garfield and McKinley could not be called a failure. 



416 ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

All the Cabinet Ministers, wlio were in the city and who could 
possibly attend were present at the service. Colonel Turner, the 
United States Consul General, was present. 

Sir Thomas lyipton said, on board his steam j^acht, the 
"Erin," referring to the shooting of the President: "I was 
stunned on receiving the news. I could feel no worse if it had 
been King Edward himself who had been shot. I am sure that 
every Britisher extends the hand of sympathy to all Americans 
in this sad affair." 

"'Twas as the general pulse 

Of life stood still, and Nature made a pause. 

An awful pause ! Prophetic of her end." 

PAUSE OF A CONTINENT. 

Solemn and impressive beyond the power of words to describe 
was that deathlike pause of a continent when the last sad rites 
were being paid at Canton. Those who saw the mighty crowds 
in all our cities when, at the first stroke of the tolling bells, all 
motion ceased, all heads were bared, and the silence of death fell 
upon the scene, to be emphasized a moment later by the stifled 
sobs of women, will never forget the scene. 

All over the continent similar scenes were being enacted. 
The factory, the forge and the loom were stilled. Steamships 
upon the waters and railway trains climbing the mountains and 
crossing the plains stood still, while eighty millions of people 
with bowed heads thought only of their dead President, borne to 
his last resting place in the little cemetery in Ohio. 

Affecting obsequies were held in Westminster Abbey and 
St. Paul's, the services being attended by throngs as deeply 
moved as those that filled the churches throughout the United 
States. All round the globe there was mourning. The whole 
civilized world took part in the funeral of the beloved Chief 
Magistrate of the American people. He is gone, but his story 
remains to inspire the struggling youth of his countr}^, and his 
character to help future generations in forming sweet, patriotic 
and lofty ideals of life and conduct. 



ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 11) 

•* 'Old Glory ' hangs low and the gentle wind's breath 

Seems to touch with sweet kindness the emblems of deaih. 
There's a tear in the eye and a weight on the heart, 
And a cloud in the sky that will not depart. 

" We prayed he might live : Thou hast answered our pniyer, 
In a way we least thought in our depths of despair. 
He lives and shall live until Time is no more, 
And the Ship of State grounds on Eternity's shore. 

" For to live was to leave all the laurels he'd won, 
And, taking Thy hand, whisper, ' Thy will be done.' 
His life showed a man on whom man could rely, 
His death showed the world how a Christian can die." 

STRIKING SENTENCES FROM THE EULOGIES. 

"The cause of this universal mourniug is to be found in the 
man himself." — Rev. C. E. Manchester' s Funeral Address at Canton. 

" One hundred thousand preachers in 100,000 sermon.s could 
not have taught as much as these last words : ' It is God's way ; 
His will, not ours, be done.' " — Rev. Dr. Henry C. McCook. 

" In the temple of American honor another is written among 
the immortals." — Rev. O. B. Millgan's Opening Prayer. 

" An obedient and affectionate son, patriotic and faithful as a 
soldier, honest and upright as a citizen, tender and devoted as a 
husband, and truthful, generous, unselfish, moral and clean in 
every relation of life." — Grover Cleveland. 

" He was never so much alive as now. It is God's way." — 
Rev. John R. Paxton. 

"He has intensified and energized our love of country and 
our devotion to our political institutions."— C^;'^/;^^/ Gibbons. 

" I know of nothing more sublime in all the roll of martyrs 
or heroes than the calm and child-like resignation with which ). 
said, ' It is God's way ; His will be done.' ''—James M. Beck. 

"Whatever he did, was done for the general welfare; like 
Lincoln and Garfield, he was too good an American to care to be 
i-icli," — Wayne MacVeagh. 

27 McK 



418 ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

A leading journal thus voices the popular feeling : 

'* Once more thy head is bowed in dreadful shame, 

O Liberty ! Thy cheeks are wet with tears ! 
Once more the far off skeptic speaks thy name 

And on his fellows' faces notes the sneers ! 

Out from the darkness of the drear, dead years 
The foul old crimson claw again is thrust, 
Once more the voice of doubt assails our ears, 
Once more we press our faces to the dust, 
But in our hearts, thank God, there still is trust. 
O Freedom, though they strike thee down, thy head 

Shall still be raised, and still thy voice shall guide ! 
And thou shall even grasp and crush the red, 

Smeared hand whose ugly stain is on thy side ! 

Though sobs are heard where yesterday the pride 
Of honor and of strength had ample tongue. 

Though doubters may be eager to deride. 
Still hope, thank God, is ours — thank God, the young 
Brave heart beats on that is so sadly wrung. " 

GRANDEUR OF HIS CAREER. 

Another journal thus expresses the national sorrow : 

'" He the more fortunate ! yea, he hath finished ! 

For him there is no longer any future. 

His life is bright— bright without spot it was 

And cannot cease to be. No ominous hour 

Knocks at his door with tidings of mishap.] 

Far off is he, above desire and fear ; 

No more submitted to the change and chance 

Of the unsteady planets. O, 'tis well 

With him.* 

" Nothing has given more dignity and grandeur to the careei 
of the departed President than his dying hour. Of all the 
impressive words that he has spoken in his lifetime, and they 
were very many, none are so sure of immortal remembrance as 
hi.-' Idst conscious message, ' It is God's way ; His will be done.' 
In these words flashed forth for the last time on earth the soul 
of William McKinley, a touching, thrilling revelation of his pro- 
found faith, his undying trust in God, aud of his submissive yet 
courageous manhood. Who has faced the King of Terrors more 



ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLlA'. 111. 

intrepidly, more nobly ? He was summoned in the fulness of 
earthly achievement, honor and triumph, at the summit (>( his 
powers, and in the midst of duty well done in an exalted ]:)ast, to 
the rewards of those who are faithful unto death. 

" It is well to-day with the martyred President. His taking 
off, as he himself fully recognized, is a part of the inscrutable 
plan of God's rule and government, to which we are all, from 
the most exalted to the humblest, subject. This is a startling 
reminder that this is a world in which there are no accidents. 
There are none such in the econoni}^ of God. 

ASTOUNDED AT THE CRIME. 

"The ways of Providence are beyond searching. Ex-Presi- 
dent Cleveland, in referring to the sad event, said that in the 
gloom surrounding the third presidential murder it is hard 
to repress ' a feeling of stunning amazement that in free America, 
blessed with a conservative government consecrated to popular 
welfare and contentment, the danger of the assassin should 
ever encompass the faithful discharge of the highest official duty. 
It is hard at such a time as this to await calmly and patiently 
the unfolding of the purpose of God.' 

" The only answer is, ' It is God's way; His will be done.' 
We cannot fathom the Divine purposes in the awful event. This 
we know, that it has brought a common bereavement, impressed 
upon us the oneness of American citizenship in moments of 
national loss or danger. We divide into parties and factions; we 
clamor for diverse national political policies, and differ noisily 
about this course of action and that. There are strenuous periods 
when the people seem to have no common interest, and proclaim 
that their differences are irreconcilable. But when the President 
is stricken the whole country is united by the solemn event, and 
it is revealed how helpful, how necessary it is that we should be 
reminded that we are one people, with one destiny and one hope. 
The discipline of sorrow and bereavement is always hard to under- 
stand and to bear. We must bow to it. ' It is God's way ; His 
will be done.' 



420 ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEV 

"The sad event has bound in closer ties the English speaking 
peoples. The death of Queen Victoria brought out a wonderful 
expression of sorrow in the United States. It was beyond imagin- 
ing that our kin beyond the sea would so soon be mourning the 
death of a President of the United States. We have moved far 
along the path of international good will when nations thus deplore 
the demise of foreign rulers. The English demonstrations are 
peculiarly significant. The English newspapers have gone into 
mourning. 

ENGLISH COURT IN MOURNING. 

" King Edward has commanded the court to go into mourning, 
and at all public meetings called for any purpose fitting reference 
has been made to President McKinley's death. English news- 
papers suggest that the Duke of Cornwall and York, the heir to 
the throne, shall attend the obsequies. These incidents indicate 
that the English speaking peoples are practically one, not in a 
political sense, but are one in sympathy. The American loss is, 
in a very accurate sense, the world's loss. These tokens of sincere 
grief in distant lands dignify and ennoble human nature, and we 
trust are the harbingers of the millennial peace." 

No less touching is the eulogy that follows : 

"In the course of his splendid eulogy pronounced at the 
Webster memorial meeting, held in Boston shortly after the 
famous statesman's death, Rufus Choate said, as a climax to many 
brilliant passages : 

" 'His plain neighbors loved him, and one said when Web- 
ster was laid in the grave ' How lonesome the world seems ! ' 

" Probably no portion of Choate' s great effort threw a broader 
beam of light upon the character of the real Webster. The vast 
concourse of President McKinley's old time friends, fellow towns- 
men and neighbors which assembled yesterday at Canton, and 
the vaster assembly of the nation which was present at Canton in 
thought and reverent sympathy, were a heartfelt tribute to the 
martyred head of the nation. Not this alone. It was a mark of 



ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 42\ 

recognitiou of the superb manhood that was in him, a c|iiali4y 
which always reveals itself to the 'plain people,' of whom Tju- 
coln spoke always with the profoundest respect and affection, im-l 
with whom McKinley and lyincoln and the greatest of earth have 
been proud to claim kinship. 

"That President McKinley was a popular President was 
made sufficiently evident in his lifetime by his success in the 
political arena ; but it was by his death that we fully appreciated 
how firm was his hold on the affections and regard of the Ameri- 
can people. His taking off came like a family bereavement, and 
the universal sorrow carried with it a feeling of personal loss. 
The nation ceased its toil. The wheels of industry stopped. In 
every city and village in the land memorial services were held. 
In the solemn observances yesterday all sects and creeds and all 
earthly divisions and distinctions were effaced in the common 
bereavement. 

HONORED BY HIS OPPONENTS. 

"Some of the finest tributes to President McKinle3-'s memory' 
came from his political opponents. He has joined the immortals. 
We may sa}^ of him, as Beechersaid of Lincoln : 

" ' In the midst of this great continent his dust shall rest a 
sacred treasure to myriads who shall pilgrim to that shrine to 
kindle anew their zeal and. their patriotism.' 

" The nation comes forth from its affliction confident of its 
future, rejoicing in its strength, and, we believe, more thoroughly 
united than it has ever been. It was the frequently expressed 
wish of President McKinley that the sectionalism that still lingers 
amone us as the reminiscence of old strifes should be abolished. 
May we not hope that this wish will be fully realized ? At no 
time has the outlook for the national prosperity been more prom- 
ising. We have reached another 'era of good feeling' in our 
domestic politics. The conciliator}-, just and patriotic motives 
and policy of the late President did much to soften partisan 
rancor. 

"His reciprocity policy, as outlined in his Buffalo speech. 



422 ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

his last formal utterance on political themes, make for industrial 
peace and a compromise between those holding diverse economical 
opinions. Abroad the United States is universally respected as 
one of the world's greatest Powers, standing for international 
good will. The new head of the nation represents the spirit of 
the new American age, and by inclination as well as by his direct 
pledge will continue the policies which have been so successfully 
developed b}^ President McKinle}'-, and have received the popular 
approval at the polls. 

"Our Ship of State will not always find smooth seas, but it 
has weathered many a stormy cape in safety. The loss of three 
Presidents by assassination, and a Civil War which brought the 
nation to the severest test of its self-saving power, cautions us 
that the freest and most beneficent Government, formed to avoid 
the oppressions and wrongs of despotism, cannot expect exemption 
from peril. The nation has been sufficient for its self-preserva- 
tion in the darkest hour. It faces the future as a strong man 
faces the duties and the responsibility of a new day." 

RESPECT AND ADMIRATION. 

Many civic bodies gave expression to their respect and 
admiration for Mr. McKinley by formally passing resolutions, 
accompanied by glowing speeches at the time of their adoption. 
One of the greatest demonstrations of this kind was by the Union 
League, of Philadelphia. One of the resolutions was the fol- 
lowing : 

"That the Union League expresses unbounded admiration 
of his private character, which was a model in all of life's relations. 
A kindly man, whose genial presence prompted confidence that 
was never betrayed ; a tender husband, whose loving devotion was 
a perfect type of marital life ; an upright Christian, whose daily 
life and brave death is an inspiration, his untimely taking ofi has 
called forth the heartfelt sympathy of the civilized world." 

In speaking of the resolution United States Senator Penrose 
said : " For 2000 miles I have traveled across the American conti- 



ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 42« 

nent, starting the day ou wliicli the President died, and I shall 
never forget the extraordinary scene which was witnessed every 
mile of the route. Great crowds at every station, all classes and 
conditions, very many in the Western part of our great country 
of the opposite political party, and all in hushed expectation to 
receive the latest details of the President's death, all oppressed 
with a sense of humiliation and shame and indignation that such 
an event could have happened in free America. 

" Even while passing through the portion of country where 
the prosperity of the people has been affected by the decline in 
the value of silver there was sorrow and indignation at this dread- 
ful event which has occurred in the history of our country. I 
came to the town which was his home and there were people from 
all over the United States^ but particularly from the adjacent por- 
tions of Ohio, men had brought their wives and their children and 
had driven for miles. They thronged the streets and stood there 
until late in the afternoon that they might catch a passing glimpse 
of the hearse containing the body of their beloved President." 

WREATHS OF POETRY. 

Poets, in graceful verse, sang the praises of the martyred 
President, as will be seen from the following effusions : 

" ' Nearer to Thee,' with dying lips he spoke 

The sacred words of Christian hope and cheer, 
As toward the Valley of the Shadow passed 

His calm, heroic soul that knew not fear. 
' Thy will be done ; ' the anxious watchers heard 

The faint, low whisper in the silent room ; 
Earth's darkness merging fast into the dawn, 

Eternal Day for Night of sombre gloom. 
' It is God's will ; ' as he had lived he died — 

Statesman and soldier, fearing not to bear i 

Fate's heavy cross ; while swift from sea to sea 

Rolled the deep accents of a nation's prayer. 
* Dust unto dust ; ' in solemn state he lies 

Who bowed to Death, yet won a deathless nan^. 
And wears in triumph on his marble brow 

The martyr's crown, the hero's wreath of fame." 



424 ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 

It is fitting that we should find a place here fi^r Walt 
Whitman's lines on the death of Lincoln : 

"Hushed be the camps to-day, 
And soldiers, let us drape our war-worn weapons 
And each with musing soul retire to celebrate 
Our dear commander's death. 

No more for him life's stormy conflicts, 
Nor victory, nor defeat — no more time's dark events, 
Charging like ceaseless clouds across the sky. 

But sing, poet, in our name. 
Sing of the love we bore him — because you, dwellers in camps, knew 
it truly. 

As they invault the coffin there, 
Sing — as they close the doors of earth upon him — one verse, 
For the heavy hearts of soldiers." 

SENATOR FOKAKER'S EULOGY. 

One of the most eloquent eulogies on Mr. McKinley came 
from United States Senator Foraker, who was long and intimately 
associated with hiin. The Senator said: 

"In the vigor of robust manhood; at the very height of his 
powers ; in the possession of all his faculties ; in the midst of a 
great work of world-wide importance ; in the enjoyment of the 
admiration, love and affection of all classes of our people to a 
degree never before permitted to any other man ; at a time of pro- 
found peace, when nothing was occurring to excite the pas- 
sions of men ; when we were engaged in a celebraion of the 
triumphs of art, science, literature, commerce, civilization and all 
that goes to make up the greatest prosperity, advancement and 
happiness the world has ever known; surrounded by thousands of 
his countrymen, vying with each other in demonstrations of friend- 
ship and good-will, the President of the United States, without a 
moment's warning, was stricken down by an assassin, who, while 
greeting him with one hand shot him to death with the other. 

" We can scarce realize that such a crime was possible, 
much less that it has been actually committed, and our sorrow is 



ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES TO PRESIDENT McKINLEY. i» 

yet too fresh, our grief too poignant and our indignation too acute 
for us to contemplate it dispassionately or discuss it C(Misidcratcly. 

"But, while we can't now speak becomingly of the murderer 
and hlr awful crime, we can fittingly employ this hour to com- 
memorate the virtues of his victim and to recount, in part at least, 
his great services to his country. 

" The allotted age of man is three-score and ten, but William 
McKinley was not yet 59 when his career ended. In these short 
years he did a wondrous work. In its accomplishment he was 
unaided by fortuitous circumstances. He was of humble origin 
and without influential friends, except as he made them. 

"He died proud of his work and in the just expectation that 

time will vindicate his wisdom, his purpose and his labors — and 

it will. 

THE CROWNING TRIUMPH. 

" What he was not permitted to finish \vi\\ be taken up by 
other hands, and when the complete, crowning triumph comes, it 
will rest upon the foundations he has laid. 

" tlis great loss to the country will not be in connection ^^^th 
policies now in process of solution, but rather in connection with 
new questions. What he has marked out and put the impress of 
his great name upon will receive the unquestioned support of his 
own part}^ and of the great majority of the American people. He 
had so gained the confidence of his followers and <-he whole 
country in his leadership that practically all differences of opinion 
on new propositions would have yielded to his judgment. 

" And when the dread hour of dissolution overtook him and 
the last touching farewell had been spoken he sank to rest mur- 
muring ' Nearer, My God, to Thee.' This was his last triumph 
and his greatest. His whole life was given to humanity, but in 
his df^ath we find his most precious legacy. 

" The touching story of that touching deathbed scene will rest 
on generations yet unborn like a soothing benediction. Such 
Christian fortitude and resignarion give us a clearer conception of 
what was in the Apostle's mind when he exclaimed, ' O, death, 
where is thy sting? O, grave, where is thy victory ? ' " 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Personal Traits of Mr. McKinley — Reminiscences of His 
Boyhood — Anecdotes and Incidents — His Kind Heart- 
Affection for Old Friends.— Never Swerved from the Path 
of Duty. 

I OYALTY to old friends, absolutely without regard to their 
*— ' worldly station, was a conspicuous trait of Mr. McKinley's 
character. It is related that at the second inauguration among 
the White House guests were Jack Adams, who runs the Presi- 
dent's farm near Canton, and his friend, Mr. Alexander, a tin- 
smith from Minerva, Columbiana county, O. Mr. Adams came 
to Washington at the President's invitation, but had no idea of 
doing more than "eating one meal in the White House," as he 
expressed it. Here is Mr. Adams' own story of how he happened 
to be stopping at the White House during the inauguration week : 

*' Just before the inauguration of 1897, M^- McKinley asked 
me if I did not want to come to Washington. Well, I was pretty 
busy fixing up things on the farm just then, so I said no, I would 
come to the next one. The President laughed and said to remind 
him and he would send me a pass. I got it. When my friend 
Alexander and I went up to the White House the President held 
out his hand and said: Tm glad to see you,' and asked me 
about my health and my family and how everybody was doing. 
I told him I had just come to town and got a room. 

" He said : ' Not a bit of it. You are to stay right here in 
the White House, you and your friend.' I said that I did not 
like to impose upon him, but he replied that it was no imposition, 
and that I must bring my grip and stay the week out as his 
guest, and he would see that I had a good time and do everything 
for me that he could do. He made out a ticket that passed us to 
the grand staud to see the parade, and also gave us seats at the 
Capitol and admission to the inauguration ball." 

A lady in Ohio has a souvenir of Mr. McKinley which she 
prizes very highly. It is a stanza written by him when twelve 

42Q 



PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLF.Y. 427 

years old, conveying to this lady, who was then a schoolgirl, a 
sentiment which impressed his mind at that time. The following 
is a fac-simile of the stanza, penned, as the reader will see, in the 
carefnl handwriting of a schoolboy : 

In this little incident we see revealed the character of the 
man. Probably if Mr. McKinley in his last days had seen the 
stanza he wrote to his "Friend Lncy," he would have smiled at 
the innocence of boyhood, but he would not have disapproved of 
the sentiment he then expressed. 

COLONEL BONNER'S REMINISCENCES. 

Colonel J. C. Bonner, Collector of Customs, was probably 
closer to President McKinley personally than any other man in 
Toledo. When the nation lost a President, Colonel Bonner lost 
a friend— a friend so near and dear that he does not hesitate to 
say that to him he owes his success. Colonel Bonner credits the 
late President wdth starting him on the road which has led to his 
present position. When interviewed, Colonel Bonner, deeply 
affected, paid the President, his friend, a great personal tribute, 
and, on solicitation, related several incidents, personal recollec- 
tions, which had been impressed on his memory. 

He told of his first acquaintance with IVIr. McKinley. Away 
back in the eariiest nineties Colonel Bonner was engaged in the 
manufacture of brushes. Politics was then with him a pastime, 
and relaxarion from business cares. At that time Colonel Bonner 



^28 PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLEY. 

was Cliainnan of the Lucas County Republican Executive Com- 
mittee, and Mr. McKinley was then Congressman McKinley, and 
Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. 

The tariff bill which bears Mr. McKinley's name was at that 
time being prepared. Mr. Bonner, in the manufacture of brushes, 
was painfully aware that the American made goods were kept out 
of the American markets because of the cheapness with which 
the German product could be manufactured and placed on sale 
here. He determined, if possible, to effect a remedy. 

He went to Washington, called at the olB&ce of Congressman 
McKinle}', which the latter always called his "den," and without 
ceremony or red tape of any sort, was received. At first sight 
Mr. Bonner was much impressed with him, and, as afterwards 
proved, the liking was mutual. Mr. Bonner stated his business. 
The country was being flooded with foreign made goods ; in this 
instance, toothbrushes, which were sold at so low a price that the 
American made product could not well compete. 

TWICE ACROSS THE OCEAN. 

The bones of which the handles were made were sawed up in 
Chicago, then shipped to Germany, made up and shipped back 
and sold at a lower price than Bonner and the five other firms in 
this country could furnish them at. 

*' But I am told," said Mr. McKinley, "in letters from great 
houses in Philadelphia and New York, that they are satisfied 
with the present conditions, and that they do not think it neces- 
sary for a tariff on toothbrushes." 

He named the firms, and then Mr. Bonner explained that 
these were great wholesale houses which bought all their goods 
in Germany when possible, only patronizing the local manufac- 
turers when forced to. 

"I see," said the Congressman, "I thought there was some- 
thing wrong here. How much of a tariff do you believe to be 
necessary to protect American interests ? " Mr. Bonner said 
forty per cent, would do. " Forty per cent, it shall be," said Mr. 
McKinley. And forty per cent, it was made and remained. 



PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKlNLEV. 129 

When President McKinley first ran for governor it was pro 
posed that he should make a speech in Toledo. The candidate- 
had appeared but once before in this city and then only at a 
banqnet at which he had responded to a toast. There were 
factional differences in the Republican camp in Lucas county at 
that time, and it was feared that the meeting would have the 
appearance of a frost, but Mr. Bonner and several other.s deter- 
mined that Mr. McKinley should be heard there. 

Some thought that a committee of two was all that was 
necessary to go down to Sandusky and meet him, and escort him. 
But opinions differed and twenty prominent citizens guaranteed 
$200 in the way of tickets and the Wheeling & Lake Erie road 
put on a special train, allowing the local managers to put on 
whatever crowd it desired. 

A GREAT TURN-OUT. 

The result of it was that nine carloads of people were taken 
to Sandusky to greet the candidate and bring him to Toledo. A 
flat car was fitted up and decorated and festooned and an artillery 
battery was placed on board. On the way to Sandusky, through 
the Democratic fastnesses of Ottawa and Sandusky counties the 
cannon boomed out Republican defiance to Democratic hosts, and 
it was feared that the return trip would be marred by the assem- 
bly of angry crowds and vengeance wreaked in some manner. 

Sandusky reached. Candidate McKinley was certainly sur- 
prised at the size of his reception committee, and after a street 
parade the train was boarded for the trip to Toledo. All along 
the route, where cannon had boomed an hour before, great crowds 

^''Tmprtmptu platforms had been built and nothing would do 
but the candidate must make a speech This was repeated a 
every station. The news spread to Toledo and when he arnv d 
the streets were crowded, packed, jammed. So great ^^ a. eh 
crowd that b,t a small percentage could pack withm Memon.d 
• Ha? and it was necessary for the candidate to speak at several 
places along the march to the hall. 



180 i'ERSONAL tl^AITS OF MR. McKINLEY. 

At the comer of Jefferson and Superior streets one speecli 
was made, and outside the hallitself another. The ' Father of the 
McKinley Bill " had set the town on fire. Theie was no longer 
any doubt as to how he would be received in Toledo. Neither 
this nor subsequent visits were frosts. 

When IMr. McKinley was elected governor he appointed 
Mr. Bonner upon his personal staff in spite of great pressure 
from great powers to make the appointment in another direction. 
To illustrate how strictly President McKinley did his duty, 
despite what effect it might have upon him personally, Colonel 
Bonner tells of an incident which occurred during a political con- 
vention at Columbus, when McKinley was governor, and when 
Mr. Bonner was chairman of the state committee. 

DURING THE GREAT STRIKES. 

It was during the great mining troubles and railroad strikes 
in the Wheeling Creek district and the State was in an uproar 
because of them. Colonel Bonner was much about the govern- 
or's office, at the latter's .invitation, having charge of the conven- 
tion arrangements and it being thought advisable that he should 
be in touch with Governor McKinley, thus being an eyewitness 
of the incident. At this time, it must be remembered, the friends 
of Governor McKinley were booming him for the presidential 
nomination. 

Private Secretary James Boyle came in and announced that a 
prominent politician was without and desired to speak to him. The 
governor was occupied and it was so reported to the gentleman. 
" Tell him," said the politician, " that it is a matter of great 
importance." This was done. The Wheeling Creek rioters were 
at that time sullen and growling. 

Every means had been used to quiet them without a show oi 
force. The subject of calling out the militia had been broached. 
The prominent politician sent in this message to the governor i 
''Tell him," said the message brought in by Mr. Boyle that "ill 
my opinion if he calls out the State militia he will never become 
President of the United States," 



PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLP:Y. 4S1 

Quick as a flasli, with the delivery of this message, Governoi 
McKinley turned to his secretary and said : " You return to 
this man and tell him that we will take care of the strike first. 
and the presidency afterward." 

Inside of three hours every regiment of the vState militia, 
except the First regiment, had been called out, and was en route 
to the scene of the trouble. The strike was settled, not a life was 
lost in the settlement, and despite the warning of the politician, 
Governor McKinley became President not only once, but twice. 

When McKinley was governor, a daring bank robbery 
occurred at Columbus Grove. The robber entered the bank and shot 
down an innocent bystander. An arrest for murder followed, and 
conviction. The case went to the governor. Great stress was 
Jaid on the fact that the evidence upon which the man's guilt was 
established was circumstantial. The governor went into the case, 
examined it thoroughly and convinced himself that the prisoner 
was guilty. When the day before the execution came, Governor 
McKinley came to Toledo the guest of Colonel Bonner. He 
wanted to get away from the influence of the men who would 
move heaven and earth to save their friend. 

FOLLOWED BY TELEGRAMS. 

But his escape from Columbus had been discovered and score 
upon score of telegrams followed him here, or even preceded his 
arrival. Colonel Bonner told the governor that there were a lot 
of telegrams for him. 

"Just keep the telegrams," he replied. His face was drawn 
and showed suppressed emotion as it always did when he was 
excited. A man's life was in his hand — he was confident that he 
was guilty — he knew it to be his duty to allow the law to take its 
course — and yet the greatest sort of pressure was being taken to 
force him to pardon or to reprieve. 

" Bonner," he said, as the evening grew, into the night and 
the hour for the execution of the law's victim approached, " isn't 
there some way of telegraphic communication with Columbus, 
with the prison ? " 



482 PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLE\. 

A walk down to a newspaper office was suggested. Arrived 
there the hour was growing close to midnight, and the day was 
close to Friday, hangman's day. The first intimation of the 
approaching tragedy was the bulletin to the effect that the peni- 
tentiary warden had entered the prison cell and had read the 
death warrant. Other particulars followed rapidly, but nothing 
of what the governor was waiting for. The death march was 
bulletined, the last clang of the cell doors, the heavy respiration 
even of the accused and convicted. The governor's emotion was 

intense. 

MADE A FULL CONFESSION. 

** Is there nothing from the man himself?" he exclaimed. 
Finally it came, a full confession, just before the last act. The 
governor's face illumined. He had been right — the man was 
guilty — the man had admitted it. Again had duty been done. 

Quite as impressive as anything else in the developments of 
the tragedy was the clear light in which they showed how Presi- 
dent McKinley's personal charms and qualities as a man won the 
affection of the country. Particularly was this noticeable in 
Washington, where, from his long service in Congress and for 
more than four years in the Presidential chair he became known 
personally as to no other part of the country, except, perhaps, to 
his neighbors in Canton. Dr. David J. Hill, Assistant Secretary 
of State, once remarked to a friend when Mr. McKinley's person- 
ality was under discussion, that if "the Lord had ever breathed 
the breath of life into a more gracious and amiable man than Mr. 
McKinley," Dr. Hill had yet to find it out. This was a thoroughly 
characteristic estimate, and one that was by no means confined in 
its expression to occasions of grief 

Mr. McKinley, according to the best estimates, always did 
the amiable and courteous thing. If he ever had any feeling of 
injured dignity or ill-temper, he never let it be discovered even by 
those nearest to him. Everybody who went to the White House 
came away pleasantly impressed, whether he were Republican, 
Democrat, Populist, anti-Imperialist or Socialist ; a negro, a 
Chinese or a Caucasian. It has not been uncommon with other 



PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLEY. 



48a 

Pre*;iflents for men of more or less prominence to come away from 
the White House saying rather unpleasant things about the t regi- 
ment they had received. 

With McKinley it was different, and in that personal equation 
doubtless lay a large share of his success, as a public man and 
party leader, in securing acceptance of the policies for which he 
stood. When before, it was frequently asked, has a President 
carried the House of Representatives in three Congresses in suc- 
session ? When before has a President sustained such friendly 
relations with the Senators that they have rejected none of his 
nominations for office, or that he, in turn, has had to veto none of 
their bills ? For this was substantially the situation. 

UNUSUAL COURTESY. 

The very few vetoes and rejected nominations, and their 
number was trifling, were rarely unwelcome to the other side, but 
were rather in the nature of the correction of errors due to newly 
discovered evidence. 

When the Secretary of the Anti-Imperialist League first 
visited Washington the President came out of a Cabinet meeting 
to receive him — a most unusual courtesy. Many a President who 
had been flattered as McKinley w^as would have taken affront at 
some of the utterances of the League, and, standing on his 
dignity, have refused altogether to see its representative. One of 
McKinley's predecessors steadily refused to see, during his term 
of office, an eminent doctor of divinity who several times called on 
public business, because he had as a preacher alluded to liis 
alleged Sabbath-breaking propensities. 

President Arthur, with all that graciousness of manner which 
has associated itself with his name, proved a hard master for the 
clerical force in his immediate employ. If he desired a letter or 
a paper from the files for any purpose, he could brook no delay, 
and was seemingly unwilling to grant that time might be neces- 
sary even for those who served a President. 

In fact, those who know t^ie White House best, in its various 
aspects toward the public, are able to relate a great many inci- 

28 McK 



IS4 Personal traits of mr. mckinLeV. 

dents sHowing considerable human nature on the part of the 
various Presidents who have occupied it, but of McKiuley the}- 
have nothing to relat'i but pleasant things, kindly acts, and 
genial ways. He seemed never offended at those who most 
severely criticised him. We read m the newspapers that Senator 
Tillman declared that M^KiUley was gradually becoming a dicta- 
tor, to the subversion of the old Repuuiic ; the next day we read 
that Mr. Tillman went to the White House to ask for a small 
consulship for one of his constituents, and, strange to relate, that, 
although an opposition Democrat, he readily obtained it. 

A PERFECT GENTLEMAN. 

In fact, Tillman said in a public way that in his opinion no 
finer gentleman from George Washington's time to the present 
had ever occupied the Presidential chair. He never went to the 
White House in the latter part of Mr. Cleveland's administration, 
just as there were many Republicans of prominence that were 
not very neighborly with Mr. Harrison, and others, to be sure, 
who did not like Mr. Arthur. 

It has long become notable to outside observers, who have 
talked with public men, who have come away from a conference 
with the Chief Executive, how generally he made their wishes his 
own. In the organization of the first Philippine Commission, 
one of the men provisionally selected hastened to Washington 
to tell Mr. McKinley that he was not much of a believer in his 
expansion policy, and that, probably knowing this, Mr. McKinley 
would want somebody else to serve. 

''Quite the contrary," was the President's answer. "We 
need just the element of opinion on the Commission which you 
represent. I am glad that you feel as you do about it." Another 
man whom McKinley was about to appoint to a high office 
expressed in the same way his skepticism on the subject of pro- 
tection, as identified with Mr. McKinley's name. In the same 
spirit, Mr. McKinley assured him that the view of the case which 
he held was the very one which the President was eager to have 
represented. 



J^ERSONAL traits of MR. McKlNLEY. 48i 

Mr. McKinley was so able to see both sides of questions, to 
recognize personal and local limitations, that his relation with 
the world and with the American public was wondcrfull}- pleasant. 
It will be recalled how enthusiastic the Democratic South became 
when, on his visit to that section, he allowed a Confederate badge, 
pinned playfully on the lapel of ais coat, to remain there all day, 
and how he recommended that the Federal Government join with 
the Southern States in the care of the cemeteries in which were 
buried the Confederate dead. Wherever he went, North, East, 
West or South, he fell in so acceptably with the prevailing views 
and aspirations of the people as to win their most marked favor. 
By his diplomatic way, he led a great many persons to his 
manner of thinking, when they did not realize that they were 
being led. 

Among the facts belonging to President jMcKinley's career 
must be placed the heroic struggle of medical skill and science 
to prevent that career from being ended so suddenly. The story of 
what went on in the sick room reads more like fiction than reality. 

THE DOCTORS ENDORSED. 

"The Medical News," in its issue of September 21, printed a 
review of President McKinley' s case from a medical point of view. 
The article recited the circumstances of the shooting and reprinted 
the official report of the autopsy and certain unofficial statements 
credited by the press to the doctors in attendance. It then takes 
up the subject of the gangrenous condition of the wound and in 
this connection says : 

"Gangrene, extensive as it was, seems to us not so different 
from others observed under analogous circumstances as to require 
the assumption of -xcepttcnal causes for it^ explanation. Necrosis 
of tissue of a thinner cr tLicker cylindei along the track of a 
bullet is thought to be the lU.^. and ordinarily it is easily taken 
care of by liquefaction and absorption. And necrosis, even of a 
considerable extent, in feeble patients, about a sutured wound is 
certainly not unknown, even if rare, and is explained by inter- 



486 PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLEY. 

ference witli the local circulatiou either by tension or by the 
spread of coagulation within the blood vessels. 

"The spread of the process in a patient of low reparative 
power would not be so very exceptional or surprising. Was the 
President such a patient? Apparently he was. According to 
Dr. Wasdin, when the incision was reopened toward the end of 
the fifth day ' no effort ' was required to open it throughout its 
entire length, although only the track of the bullet was affected. 
That expression would hardly have been used unless he had 
intended to indicate that the amount of repair usual after that 
lapse of time had not taken place. Then, the President was fifty- 
eight years of age, had led a sedentary, laborious and anxious 
life, and had a complexion and appearance which, for some years, 
had been commented upon as indicative of impaired vitality. 

ACTED WITH PROMPTNESS. 

" It is evident that the surgeons, notably Doctors Mann and 
Mynter, with whom the first decision lay, acted with commend- 
able promptitude and courage in undertaking the operation, and 
showed excellent judgment in its course and skill in its execution. 

"They did all that could properly have been done and 
nothing that should have been left undone. The usual causes 
of death after such inj ury and operation were escaped or removed 
or prevented, and their patient succumbed to a complication which 
is so rare that it could not reasonably have been anticipated, and 
could not have been averted. 

"The President died because he could not carry on the 
processes of repair and because the effort to do so was more than 
the vitality of the tissues involved could support. This, of course, 
excluded the possible presence of poison brought by the bullet oi 
of destructive action by the pancreatic juices. If either of those 
was a factor, it needs only to substitute it in the statement for the 
assumed defective vitality of the patient. Whatever cause acted, 
it was unrecognizable at the operation and uncontrolable then or 
subsequently. 

'* There has been some criticism of the confident assurance of 



PERSONAL TRAITS OF MR. McKINLEY. 4W 

recovery made by those in attendance after the fifth day. To us 
the progress of the case up to that time appears fully to have 
justified those assurances and the public anxiety to have required 
them." 

The review of the case closes with the following reference to 
the doctors: " They did their work skillfully and judiciously, 
their behavior was dignified, restrained and worthy of the best 
traditions of the profession, and they have the misfortune, when 
success seemed to have been secured, of seeing it overthrown by a 
complication which could not have been foreseen or avoided. 
They deserve our admiration and sympathy, not our criticism." 



CHAPTER XXIIL 

Origin and Rise of Anarchism — Its Theory and Practice— 
— Aims to Overthrow All Lawful Government — ^Assas- 
sinations From Alexander II. to President McKinley. 

"T^HE civilized world looked on aghast when the apostles of dis- 
^ order, the believers in the ''rights of the people" as they 
phrased it, seized Paris in the name of the Commune on March 
17, 1871, and held it until the rightful government of the republic 
regained control of the capital on May 27. The frightful 
excesses of these two months have never been surpassed in the 
annals of war, and without knowing it the civilized world was 
beholding a demonstration of what government and social exist- 
ence would be like under the supremacy of a set of revolutionists, 
known later as " anarchists," but who then had no such conve- 
nient sobriquet to designate themselves or their beliefs. 

Neither Communism nor Anarchism originated during the 
Commune. On the contrary, the general idea which took a most 
violent shape in the Slav and Latin countries in the 8o's grew 
out of the revolutions of 1848. Proudhon in France and Karl 
Marx in Germany, and, above all, Michael Bakunin, a Russian, 
all ardent social reformers, were the real creators of the interna- 
tional movement. 

Bakunin was born in Russia, 181 4, and died in Berne, in 
1876. He took part in the German revolutionary movements of 
1848, and was the founder of Nihilism in his own country. He 
was exiled to Siberia in 1851, but escaped to Japan, got back to 
England by 1861, and in 1865 he was one of the organizers of 
the " International Association of Workingmen," a pet project of 
Karl Marx. 

Bakunin, Marx and all other reformers of all grades, from 
philosophic idealists to downright cut-throats, carried on the propa- 
ganda of the International Association until 1872, when there 
was a split, and at the Hague conference the Socialists proper, 

488 



OklGm AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 4|| 

wiio believed in orderly reform and governmental methods, drew 
apart from the extremists, who met in what was really the first 
Anarchist congress in the world, held the same year at Saint- 
Imier, Switzerland. 

By this time, 1872, the extremists were well organized in 
most of the leading States of Europe, particularly in Russia, and 
the Latin countries. In Italy, Counts Caffiero and Malatestn 
were followers of Bakunin and leaders in the movement. They 
had a large following, and the name by which they were known 
was Internationalists, and they constituted the " Federazionc 
Intemazionale dei Lavoratori" (International Federation of 
Workers), with the motto, ** Atheism, Anarchy and Collectivism," 
which was the Italian branch of Karl Marx's London organiza- 
tion, but which from the first, owing to the disturbed state of 
things, politically and economically, in Italy, had taken a more 
radical turn. Marx might believe in a constructive, peaceful 
revolution of society. 

FLOURISHED IN ITAL^ 

Not so the Italians, who were anarchistic at the stan. Con- 
sequently from 1872 to 1880 the anarchist movement flourished 
in Italy, while in other and freer countries it lauguished, save iu 
Spain, and the Italians were at the head of every workers' associa- 
tion for economic purposes. In 1876 they took possession of 
the town of Beneveuto. Amongst the revolutionists there were 
Caffiero, the Russian revolutionist and writer, Stepuiak, and 
others ; but the movement was immediately suppressed by the 
government, which realized for the first time that Italy as well 
as Europe was confronted by a new and very dangeroui; social 
movement. 

This early propaganda of anarchism was largely due, it must 
be said, to the missionary work of those who took part iu the 
so-called Social Democratic Alliance, which Bakunin founded at 
Geneva, Switzerland, in 1868. The Alliance, like the Inter- 
national Association, was divided into a central committee and 
national bureaus. But together with this division went a secret 



440 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

organization. Bakunin, the pronounced enemy of all organiza- 
tions in theory, created in practice a secret society quite according 
to the rules of Carbonarism, a hierarchy which was in total con 
tradiction to the anti-authority tendencies of the society. 

According to the secret statutes of the "Alliance" three 
grades were recognized: (i) "The International Brethren," loo 
in number, who formed a kind of sacred college, and were to play 
the leading parts in the soon expected, immediate social revolution, 
with Bakunin at their head ; (2) " The National Brethren," who 
were organized by the International Brethren into a national 
association in every country, but who were allowed to suspect 
nothing of the international organization ; (3) lastly came the 
Secret International Alliance, the pendant of the public alliance, 
operating through the permanent central committee. 

BECAME MORE VIOLENT. 

The Alliance as an open organization did not last long, as 
it was amalgamated with the "International" in 1869, the 
extremists and conservatives all working together until their 
final separation in 1872. During the latter part of the 70's the 
extremists in all parts of Europe — Latins, Slavs, Teutons — became 
more and more violent, and it was about this time that the 
Governments of Europe began to look into the question of 
anarchism, though it had not yet revealed itself in all its true 
colors, for though Bakunin was an extremist he had not himself 
invented the propaganda "by the deed," which latei on led to the 
series of attacks on the rulers of Europe, which respected no one 
were he autocrat or a parliamentary sovereign. 

This idea of violence grew slowly as compared with the 
purely political idea that anarchists should in no way encourage 
any orderly form of government even if they were in power. For 
instance, the Congress of Berne, which followed Bakunin's death 
in 1876, under the leadership of Elisee Reclus, officially blamed 
the Paris Commune of 187 1 for constituting itself into an organ- 
ized government. As irresponsible as the Commune had been, it 
had not been irresponsible enough for men like Reclus. 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 441 



a- 



Moreover, it was at the Berne convention that Count Mai 
testa, one of the evil geniuses of anarchy, who represented tli. 
Italian extremists, who at that time were one of the most powerful 
groups in Europe, took the step that has made anarchism tlic 
"red terror" ever since; for, in the name of the Italian Federation, 
he declared the necessity of joining the "insurrectional act" to 
the other means of propaganda. 

In 1878 the congress of Fribourg (in Switzerland) definitely 
adopted the propositions of Reclus explaining why its members 
were revolutionists, anarchists and collectivists; and it pronounced 
unanimously for the "collective appropriation of social riches, the 
abolition of the State under all its forms, for insurrectional and 
revolutionary action, and against the use of the ballot as a mis- 
chievous instrument incapable of realizing the sovereignty of the 

people." 

BREEDING REVOLUTION. 

The propaganda of revolution was carried on throughoat 
Kurope with great vigor. In Russia it became allied with Nihil- 
ism, and everywhere it spread hatred of government and all 
political and economic authority. In Italy, France and Spain 
the movement was particularly vigorous, and Spain from the '70's 
had a strong influence in determining the orientation of the move- 
ment. But it was not until 1881 that the Spanish Federation for the 
first time positively shut out all the weak-kneed brethren who still 
clung to Socialist organizations and had not yet utterly broken 
with all organized society. 

The propaganda of irresponsible individualism, of violence 
and of unreasoning hatred for any one in executive place, were he 
a devil or an angel, was openly advocated at the Anarchist con- 
gress held at Barcelona in 1881. This Barcelona congress was 
the first exclusively Anarchist congress, since there— for the first 
time — was no question of fraternizing even with those extreme 
revolutionary Socialists that still admitted some principle of State 

authority. 

Whatever the Spanish Anarchists might have accomplished 
internationally, and there is no doubting their evil intentions, b} 



4i2 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

the irony of fate it was in peaceful London that the definite organ- 
ization to carry out the philosophy of violence was put into efifect. 
Ever since the early '6o's London had been the rendezvous of all 
European revolutionists and agitators. Marx, Bakunin, Stepniak, 
Aveling, Kropotkin had made it their headquarters, and now, at 
a critical moment in the history of anarchism an extremist came 
on the scene who believed in putting into effect all the dreams of 
Reclus, Proudhon, Kropotkin and others, after the revolutionary 
ideas of Bakunin. 

This man was Herr Johann Most, who had been expelled 
from Berlin in 1879, after Germany had begun to legislate against 
the Social-Democrats and all their ilk. Most soon took hold of 
the extremists of all nations then gathered in London and formed 
a secret " Propagandist Club," to carry on an international 
revolutionary agitation, and to prepare directly for the general 
revolution which Most thought was near at hand. For this pur- 
pose a committee was to be formed in every country in order to 
form groups after the Nihilist pattern, and at the proper time to 
take the lead of the movement. 

HUE AND CRY FOR " FREEDOM." 

The activity of all these national organizations was to be 
united in the Central Committee in London, which was an inter- 
national body. The organ of the organization was to be the 
" Freedom." The following of this new movement grew rapidly 
in every country, and already in 1881 a great demonstration of 
Most's ideas took place at the memorable International Revolu- 
tionary Congress in London, the holding of which was mainly 
due to the initiative of Most and the well-known Nihilist, 
Hartmann. 

Already in April, 1881, a preliminary congress had been held 
in Paris, at which the procedure of the ''Parliamentary Socialists" 
had been rejected, since only a social revolution was regarded as 
a remedy ; in the struggle against present day society all and 
any means were looked upon as right and justifiable ; and in view 
of this, the distribution of leaflets, the sending of emissaries, and 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. m 

the ase of explosives were recommended. A German living in 
London had proposed an amendment involving the forcible 
removal of all potentates after the manner of the assassination of 
the Russian Czar, but this was rejected as "at present not yet 
suitable." 

The congress following this preliminary one took place 
in London, on July 14 to 19, 1881, and was attended by about 
forty delegates, the representatives of several hundred groups. 
It announced its principles as follows : 

ANNIHILATION OF RULERS. 

" The revolutionaries of all couutries are uniting into an 
' International Social Revolutionar}^ Working Men's Association,' 
for the purpose of a social revolution. The headquarters of the asso- 
ciation is at London, and sub-committees are formed in Paris, 
Geneva and New York. In every place where like minded sup- 
porters exist, sections and an executive committee of three 
persons are to be formed. The committees of a country are to 
keep up with one another, and, with the central committee, 
regular communication by means of continual reports and 
information, and have to collect money for the purchase of poison 
and weapons, as well as to find places suitable for laying mines, 
and so on. To attain the proposed end, the annihilation of all 
rulers, ministers of State, nobility, the clergy, the most promi- 
nent capitalists, and other exploiters, any means are permissible, 
and, therefore, great attention should be given specially to the 
study of chemistry and the preparation of explosives, as being 
the most important weapons. Together with the chief committee 
in London, there will also be established an executive committee 
of international composition and an information bureau, whose 
duty is to carry out the decisions of the chief committee and to 
conduct correspondence." 

This congress and the decisions passed thereat had very far- 
reaching and fateful consequences for the development of the 
anarchism of action. The executive committee set to work at 
once, and sought to carry out every point of the proposed pro- 



444 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

gram, but especially to utilize for purposes of demonstration and 

for feverish agitation every revolutionary movement of whatever 

origin or tendency it might be, whether proceeding from Russian 

Nihilism or Irish Fenianism. Kow successful their activity was, 

was proved only too well by now unceasing outrages in every 

country. 

Most and Kropotkin were now apparently agreed that the 

time had come for adding what is known as the " propaganda of 

the deed " to words and writing. In fact Kropotkin, although 

to-day he poses as a philosophic Anarchist, had already, in 1879, 

advocated the doctrine of action in France, and it was after his 

incendiary discourses at the London congress that he was 

expelled from Switzerland. Four years previously he had 

migrated from Russian nihilism to international anarchy and 

begun the publication of its first organ in company with Paul 

Brousse, another disciple of Bakunin, and now, strange to say, 

the mildest of Socialists. It was Prince Kropotkin who shortly 

afterward induced the members of the party to drop the word 

" Collectivist." 

TWO GROUPS. 

At a congress in Paris, also in the same year, the Anarchists 
were quite excluded from the company of the International 
Socialists, and from this time on the Anarchist and Socialist 
groups may be said to have become wholly distinct, while the 
Anarchists, themselves split up into two sections, the one led by 
men like Professor Reclus in France and Prince Kropotkin, both 
said to be the wildest mannered of men who ever associated with 
bomb-throwers, and the other section led by men like Herr Most 
and Count Malatesta, Bakunin's great disciple, who believed in 
violence, and still believes in it, as was shown in an interview 
after the assassination of Humbert on July 27, 1900. Kropotkin 
at times, however, has urged insurrectionary movements, and his 
hands are not so free of blood as he claims. 

It was but natural that after all these years of revolutionary 
movements, actual and philosophical, that the era of violence 
should soon set in and it came in Italy, Spain, Germany and 



ORIGIN AND RIS£ OF" ANARCHISM. 445 

Russia, in which countries, during the latter part of the 70's 
several attempts to assassinate those in power were made the 
effort in Russia culminating in the killing of the Czar Alex- 
ander II., in St. Petersburg, on March 13, 1881. 

From this time on the European governments realized that 
they were dealing with a formidable enemy of modern society 
and most of the stricter monarchical governments made every 
effort to stamp the organization out. The Anarchists, revolution- 
ary and philosophical, however, found an asylum in Switzerland 
and in Great Britain and in the United States and the plotting of 
the various groups went on without much interruption save in 
Russia, where the police ruled with an iron hand. 

INFAMOUS PLOTS. 

In the early 8o's the United States had been the rendezvous 
for a large number of German and Slavic, Russian, Poles and 
Swiss refugees driven out of Europe by the repressive measures 
following hard upon the assassination of the Czar. These revo- 
lutionists settled down in New York and Chicago chiefl}- where 
they formed two large groups, devoted to plotting against the 
Government and any of its agents, and encouraging discontent. 
One of the most conspicuous of these agitators was Most, who 
came over in 1883, having found London too hot for him. He 
kept up a red-hot agitation and was fond of saying that the time 
had come for bullets and not for ballots. 

In Chicago the group grew very bold and when an effort was 
made to break up one of their meetings held in Hayniarket 
Square, on May 4, 1886, at which they were proclaiming 
revolutionary doctrines, a bomb was thrown and seven policemen 
were killed, and a large number injured. Seven of the ring- 
leaders were arrested, tried and convicted and four were executed 
on November 11, 1887, two others being imprisoned for life, and 
the third sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary. This 
outbreak made a profound impression on the public mind and by 
reason of the summary execution and the general hostility the 
open avowal of anarchy was for the moment suppressed. 



44($ ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

But neither in this country nor in Europe was there any 
real cessation in the movement and the revival of anarchistic 
attacks in France, culminating in the death of Carnot in 1894, 
had been a marked feature of the latter part of 1893, when Paris 
was in a regular panic, owing to a number of bomb throwings, 
which French outbreaks had been the natunil consequence of the 
upheaval in Spain, which had resulted in the Barcelona horror, 
when, on November 8, 1893, thirty people were killed and eighty 
injured by a bomb thrown by the Anarchists in the Lyceum 
Theater. This Barcelona attack had been preceded by an effort 
to kill General Campos on September 24, 1893, by a bomb, while 
in Chicago a half-crazed man assassinated Mayor Carter H. Har- 
rison on October 28th. 

PARDON FOR ANARCHISTS. 

A maudlin sentiment had, however, developed in this country 
on the subject of anarchism, and this was taken advantage of by 
Governor Altgeld, of Illinois, who, on June 26, 1893, pardoned 
the three anarchists, Fielden, Schwab and Neebe, who were still 
serving out their terms for their complicity in the Haymarket 
murder of 1886. This action of the Governor of Illnois and the 
demagoguery of Populist orators so encouraged anarch}^ in this 
country that a convention of avowed anarchists was held during 
the World's Fair. 

Aftei the outbreaks of 1893, and the murder of Carnot, on 
June 24, 1894, there was a lull in anarchist activity until Senor 
Canovas del Castillo, the Premier of Spain, was assassinated by 
Golli, an Italian anarchist, on August 8, 1897. This was fol- 
lowed a year later b}^ the brutal, wanton murder of the Empress 
Elizabeth, by Luccheni, also an Italian ; and this, after a two 
years' interval, by the murder of King Humbert, at Monza, 
Italy, by Angelo Bresci, an Italian, who had lived at Paterson, 
N. J., where the plot to kill the king was hatched. 

Although up to this time in most American communities the 
anarchists had been German or Slavic, the Italian groups were 
fast taking the lead in agitation, and the action of Bresci was the 



ORIGIN Ai<D RISE OF ANARCHISM. 44^ 

natural outgrowth of the uudisturbed existence of these ^nnxp, 
in and about New York. 

The assassination of King Humbert warned all governnienl- 
that the time had come to combine against the anarchists, but :i 
year had not gone by before an Italian boy, named Sipido, tried 
to kill the then Prince of Wales while he was entering a railway 
car in Brussels, and the craze seemed to be unabated, the situ- 
ation thus developed at the beginning of the twentieth century 
forming a problem which Europe has tried to deal with collec- 
tively, but in vain, as all plans at concerted action have come to 
naught, though the view is gaining in Great Britain, as well as 
in the rest of Europe and in the United States, that something 
must be done to scotch those who boldly proclaim themselves, 
whether as dreamy philosophers or actual plotters, the enemies 
of all human society. 

FIRST MARTYRED PRESIDENT. 

The first time that the American people were called upon to 
mourn for an assassinated President was when Abraham Lincoln 
fell by a shot from John Wilkes Booth's pistol, in Ford's Theatre, 
at Washington, on the night of April 14, 1865. Mr. Lincoln had 
attended a Cabinet meeting on that day, and in the evening, 
accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, of Albany, and her 
half-brother, Major Henry R. Rathbone, had gone to the theatre 
to witness the performance of "Our American Cousin." 

While the play was in progress a shot was heard, and a 
man was seen to jump from the President's box on to the stage, 
brandishing a pistol. Those who sat near the stage heard him 
shout in a theatrical manner, ''Sic semper tyrannis — the South 
is avenged ! " He rushed to the rear of the building, mounted a 
horse, which had been kept in waiting for him, and dashed away. 
The President was carried to a house opposite the theatie, where 
he passed away, surrounded by his famil}-, on the moniing of 

April 15th. 

On the same night that he was shot by John Wilkes Booth, 
an assassin entered the room of William H. Seward, who lay ill 



448 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

abed, and stabbed bim and wounded Secretary Seward's son, who 
attempted to stay bis band. Tbe murder of Vice-President 
Jobnson, Secretary Stanton and General Grant was contemplated 
by tbe conspirators, wbo succeeded only in assassinating tbe 
President. 

Tbe assassin was tracked by a squadron of cavalrymen, and 
twelve days after tbe assassination be was found in a barn, wbere 
be bad secreted bimself, and from wbicb be was taken after 
baving been mortally wounded. Tbe people in tbe Nortbern 
States at tbat time were rejoicing over tbe termination of bostili- 
ties witb tbe Soutb, peace seemed to be near at band, families 
looked for tbe return of tbe men wbo bad gone to tbe field in tbe 
service of tbeir country, and every city, village and bamle^ was 
decorated witb flags and bunting. 

FLAGS IN MOURNING. 

Tbere were no orders issued to tbat effect, but by common 
consent edges of mourning were sewn around tbe flags, tbe 
streamers were covered witb crepe, and witbin a few bours after 
tbe news of Lincoln's assassination bad come nearly every bouse 
in tbe loyal States was draped in mourning. Tbe body of tbe 
assassinated Piesident was taken to tbe Capitol on April aotb, 
and a great concourse of people viewed it before tbe funeral train 
started for Springfield. In every principal city along tbe line tbe 
train baited, and at Baltimore, Harrisburg, Pbiladelpbia, New 
York, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Cbicago catafalques were 
erected, and weeping multitudes looked upon tbe face of tbe dead 
emancipator. 

Tbe conspirators wbo were responsible for tbe assassination 
were tried by court martial at Washington, and four, namely, 
Payne, Harold, Azerodt and Mrs. Surratt, were banged ; tbe stage 
carpenter at Ford's theatre wbo turned out tbe lights to facilitate 
the escape of Booth, the man who held his horse at the stage 
entrance, and Dr. Mudd, wbo set the limb which Booth broke in 
jumping from the box, were sent to prison for long terms. 

Andrew Jobnson, the Vice-President, was sworn in as Presi- 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 



449 



dent ©f the United States on the morning of April 15, a few inin- 
utes after the President had passed away. The dcatli of Abraham 
Lincoln wiped out party feeling in the Northern vStates to a great 
extent, and among the enlogies that were delivered some of the 
best were spoken by members of the Democratic party, who for 
years had opposed Mr. Lincoln and his policy. 

The only other occasion wdien the American people were called 
upon to mourn for an assassinated President was when General 
Garfield passed aw^ay in consequence of the wounds inflicted on 
him b}' a crazy assassin. 

The President was leaving Washington, on July 2, 18S1, on 
a trip through New^ England, having nothing specially in view- 
beyond the commencement exercises of Williams College, 
VVilliamstowm. He had had a season of more than ordinarily hard 
work and much vexation over a fight in the Republican party of 
the State of New York, which had originated through his appoint- 
ment of a Collector for the Port of New York. At a Cabinet 
meeting held July i, the day before his departure from Washing- 
ton, he told some of the members of the Cabinet that he looked 
forward with great pleasure to his coming vacation, that he needed 
rest, was going to take it, and not allow affairs of State to bother 

him. 

jARField assassinated. 

As he was passing through the waiting room of the Baltimore 
and Potomac Railroad station, the next morning, leaning on the 
arm of Mr. Blaine, an assassin approached him and fired point 
blank upon the President. The first ball passed through his coat 
sleeve, whereupon the President half turned and received the 
second shot in the back. The bullet fractured a rib and lodged 
so deeply in the body that it could not be extracted at that time. 
The wounded President was carried back to the White House, 
where, for ten weeks, attended by the best medical skill available, 
and having all the comforts that love could procure, he lingered 
between life and death. His cheerfulness and fortitude awakened 
the sympathy and commanded the admiration of the whole world. 

Bulletins announcing his condition were published daily in 

29McK 



460 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

every city in the Union and in all the capitals of Europe. A day 
of national supplication was set apart while the President lingered 
at Washington, and it was sacredly observed. For a time his 
physicians were hopeful, and the bulletins for a period led the 
public to believe that the President would resume his duties, but 
when the torrid weather of midsummer came the patient failed 
perceptibly, and although it was done at great hazard, he was 
removed on September 6, 1881, by a special train to Elberon, N. 
J, The invigorating sea breezes seemed at first to have a bene- 
ficial effect, but on September 15 unmistakable symptoms of blood 
poisoning were discovered, and on the nineteenth, after a few hours 
of unconsciousness, he died. 

Three days later a special train, heavily draped with emblems 
of mourning, passed through crowds of reverent spectators to 
Washington, and the body was placed in the rotunda of the 
Capitol, where it lay in state for two days. 

HUNG FOR THE FOUL DEED. 

His murderer, Charles Jules Guiteau, who was caught as 
soon as he committed the crime, suffered the death penalty in the 
jail in Washington after his trial and conviction. 

It was announced from Washington that active measures 
would be taken to stamp out anarchism, in whichi all civilized 
nations would be expected to join. The following is from a well- 
known newspaper correspondent : 

" As a result of the assassination of President McKinley, 
there will be a renewal of the international effort to] bring about 
the suppression of anarchists. The few diplomats in Wash- 
ington were greatly shocked by the news from Buffalo, and there 
was a unanimous expression of the view that the several govern- 
ments should reach an international agreement to stamp out 
anarchy as swiftly as possible. 

"Minister Wu is the only diplomat of envoy rank in the 
city. When I saw him to-night he expressed the utmost horror 
at the assault upon the President. ' It is a great calamity,' he 
said. * I am shocked beyond expression by the news. What 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 45] 

could have prompted the purpose to kill such a good man as Mr. 
McKinley, who has governed the countrj^ so wisely and so well ? 
And, in any event, why should an attempt be made to assassinate 
a President of a republic when his term of office is for four years 
and his successor can then be lawfully and peacefully elected?' 

" I suggested to the Minister that the President's assailant 
proved to be an anarchist. 

" ' The anarchists should all be hanged,' he responded. 
'They should not be allowed to commit such dastardly crimes. 
It is a shame, a shame. I cannot say how deeply grieved I am.' 

" The Chinese Minister was asked what would have been the 
procedure in his countr3\ He answered with his usual promptness : 

*' 'We would give him the death of lin-chi. Do you know 
what that means ? His family and realtives would also be held 
to account for the education of such a monster. The crime, how- 
ever, would be impossible in m}^ country. Besides a deep-rooted 
respect of the Emperor, there are sufficient guards, and promis • 
cuous receptions and handshakings are not tolerated ; but if by 
any possible chance such a criminal should arise, he would be 
condemned to the lin-chi and his relatives called to account.' 

A HORRIBLE DEATH. 

" The lin-chi is the death of a thousand cuts. The Minister 
says it is a statutory punishment for certain crimes so heinous 
that the imagination is appalled to contemplate them in the 
abstract. Among these are the murder of a father or mother. 

" Mr. Thomas Herron, the Colombian Charge d' Affaires, 
dwelt upon the President's character and acts throughout the 
world. ' His benevolence of character robbed him of personal 
enemies,' Mr. Herron said. ' He is a great and good man, and 
Colombia will join the United vSates in the prayer for his 
recovery. Society should protect itself by taking measures for 
the suppression of anarchists. The tragedy at Buffalo may have 
the effect of bringing this about.' 

" Suppression of anarchists has engaged the attention of 
governments of Europe for years, but up to this time no con- 



452 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

certed action has been taken. The United States was invited 
several years ago to attend an anti-anarchistic conference, but 
declined the invitation, because it was unable to bind itself to 
observe any course of procedure that might be determined upon 
because of the safeguards thrown by the Constitution around 
personal liberty and personal rights. One of the great causes of 
complaint by Europe against the United States is the liberty with 
which anarchists can hatch their conspiracies in this country. 

" Immediately after the assassination of King Humbert of 
Italy the Italian government made representations to the United 
States contemplating the punishment of all anarchists at Pater- 
son, N. J., who were involved in the crime. The evidence was 
furnished to the State Department, but the Federal government 
was unable to do more than refer the matter to the Governor of 
New Jersey, with the request that he make a thorough investiga- 
tion, and if the law could be applied to any persons suspected of 
complicity to begin the proper legal measures. 

ACCOMPLICES ESCAPED. 

*' Insufficient evidence and the difficulty of finding a law to 
fit the charge of conspiracy against the life of a foreign sovereign 
permitted the escape of the accomplices of King Humbert's assas- 
sin. Italy was compelled to acquiesce in the failure of the United 
States to destroy what she was convinced was a nest of conspira- 
tors at Paterson, but naturally she was deeply exercised over 
what she regarded as the inexplicable attitude of the Washington 
government. 

'* It is generally believed in diplomatic circles that the recall 
of Baron Fava, the Italian Ambassador, was the outgrowth of the 
American policy of non-action. Italy now will doubtless appre- 
ciate that the American government was as powerless to protect 
its own Chief Executive as it was to prevent a conspiracy against 
the life of her sovereign. It is believed by the diplomats that 
Europe will consider the present moment opportune to revive 
the proposal of an international understanding for the suppres- 
sion of anarchists. 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 468 

"In official circles it is said tliat an amendment of some 
kind to the constitntion wonld have to be made, as it was at pres- 
ent impossible to punish a man participating in a conspiracy 
against the life of a foreign sovereign. Until the authorization 
is therefore given to the Executive, it is likely that the State 
Pepartment would be compelled to observe the precedent already 
established and decline the invitation tendered. 

" Senor Calvo, Minister from Costa Rica, expressed the 
greatest horror of the terrible outrage upon the President. ' Such 
things occurring in a free Republic are terrible,' he said. ' The 
crime itself is atrocious on all occasions, but when directed against 
the life of such a kindly and righteous President as Mr. McKin- 
ley it surpasses the utmost credulity.' 

SEDITIOUS PUBLICATIONS. 

" Mr. Calvo continued : ' I am surprised that the rigid postal 
laws of the United States should permit the circulation of sedi- 
tious matter. It is treason to counsel the destruction of the ruler 
of a country, yet these virulent anarchistic sheets must pass 
freely through the mails in order to be circulated. Your laws 
are properly stringent against publications or writings inciting 
fraud or immorality. No avowed anarchist should be permitted 
to receive or mail letters. His ebullitions should be confiscated 
wherever found. This is a matter of public safety.* 

" Kogoro Takahira, Minister from Japan, has returned to 
Washington deeply affected by the tragedy. He said : * Nobody 
could expect that such a good President of the United States 
should become the victim of such an appalling and dastardly 
crime. It is hardly possible to express one's feelings on such an 
occasion, but we join the people of the United States in receiving 
the sad news with surprise and indignation, and our sincere and 
honest wishes are that he should recover speedily and perma- 
nently ; and in this statemen I am confident that I voice the 
sentiment of my government and my people throughout all 

Japan.' 

"Mr. Takahira further said that he would never forget the 



t54 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

last day lie spent witli the President at Buffalo. When the party 
returned from Niagara the diplomats proceeded to their hotel. 
A friend at the Exposition grounds attempted to telephone him 
the sad news, but was unable to secure a wire which was not 
busy. He left the President in the highest spirits and expected 
to meet him that night at dinner at the house of Mrs. Williams. 
He was beginning his preparations for the dinner when the sad 
intelligence was communicated and he immediately hastened to 
the Milbum home to express his grief. He added that in his 
country such a crime was impossible." 

A metropolitan journal thus describes the situation, and does 
not take a hopeful view of our government being able to entirely 
stamp out anarchism. 

THE DREAM OF FOOLS. 

" It is needless," it says, " to waste time denouncing anarch- 
ism. All men who are not dreamers agree that society cannot 
exist without laws and officers to enforce them, and that every 
legitimate means should be used to check the spread of anarchism 
and put an end to the crimes of anarchists. If, however, 
anarchists go no further than holding a private opinion that the 
world can get along without laws, we have no possible legal 
ground for action against them, since they are guilty merely 
of folly. 

"The crimes of anarchists, therefore, may for practical 
purposes be divided into two classes — murderous assaults, like 
that upon President McKinley, and the instigation of such 
assaults. For dealing with these crimes the first legitimate means 
is the existing law ; the second, such amendments as are in 
accord with our Constitution and political traditions, and are 
capable of enforcement. 

'* As for murder, we already have adequate laws. Death is, 
a sufficient penalty. Furthermore, the case of the Chicago 
anarchists shows that those who incite to murder, even though 
they may not strike the blow themselves, may be convicted as 
accomplices before the fact. If the Penal Code of any State lacks 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 455 

sucli a provision as that under which the convictions were 
obtained in Illinois in 1886, an amendment is a comparatively 
easy matter. 

" Every anarchist who plans such an assassination expects 
nothing bnt death. He hopes to succeed, and he knows that in 
any event he is sure of capture. Even if we mark our horror of 
attacks upon the President by imposing the death penalty in 
every case, we shall merely satisfy our feelings, without making 
the least headway in checking the crime. 

" In regard to incendiary talk, we already have, in New York 
State at least, a law which has been inv^ ked several times with 
salutary effect. Section 451 of the Penal Code, entitled 'Unlaw- 
ful Assemblages,' reads : 

THE LAW IN THE MATTER. 

"* Whenever three or more persons assemble with intent to 
commit any unlawful act b}^ foi .t ; or assemble with intent to 
carry out any purpose in such a n riuner as to disturb the public 
peace ; or being assembled, attempt or threaten any act tending 
toward a breach of the peace, or any injury to person or property, 
or any unlawful act, such an assembly is unlawful, and every 
person participating therein by his presence, aid, or instigation 
is guilty of a misdemeanor. But this section shall not be so con- 
strued as to prevent the peaceable assembling of persons for law- 
ful purposes of protest or petition.' 

''According to the same code, a misdemeanor ' is punishable 
by imprisonment in a penitentiary or county jail for not more 
than one year, or by a fine of not more than $500, or by both.' 
Under this law, John Most and Emma Goldman have served 
terms in the penitentiary. 

"One proposition, which has been urged by a Boston journal, 
is a general law to send the anarchist to the lunatic asylum, 
instead of to jail. If the anarchist really be a lunatic, there is 
no difficulty whatever about sending him to the asylum under the 
present law. If he be not mentally diseased, no law to commit 
him to an asylum can be framed under which the editor of the 



456 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

Boston journal will be safe. A law wliicli should declare Anar- 
chists, Communists, Christian Scientists, Populists, or any other 
class of citizens insane, could never be enacted except by a Legis- 
lature of lunatics. 

"The only possible change in the present law is to make the 
crime of incendiary talk a felony, rather than a misdemeanor — 
that is, make it punishable by long imprisonment or death. In 
the heat of the present excitement, the death penalty has been 
proposed for attempted assassination ; but public opinion, on 
sober second thought, would reject such an amendment as likely 
to make martyrs of the anarchists, win sympathy for them, and 
strengthen their cause, rather than weaken it. The plan of 
lengthening the term of imprisonment beyond a year is more 

feasible. 

REASONABLE SAFEGUARDS. 

" Even here, however, we run the risk of imposing too severe 
a penalty, and thus losing more than we gain. Such an amend- 
ment should not pass till the present excitement has subsided, 
the subject has been fully discussed, the experience of other 
countries carefully considered, and every safeguard provided for 
reasonable freedom of speech. With such precautions it might 
be well to allow the Judge to extend the sentence in atrocious 
cases. 

"Judicious enforcement of the present law, then, and an 
amendment declaring incendiary talk a felony instead of a mis- 
demeanor, really exhaust our resources in dealing with the 
offenses of anarchists who are already resident in the United 
States. The question of exclusion remains. 

" By the present law we prohibit the immigration to this 
country of ' persons who have been convicted of a felony or other 
infamous crime, or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.' An 
effort to close our doors to all anarchists meets with some of the 
same difficulties that attend a movement to visit any other pun- 
ishment on them as a class. One bill for this purpose has already 
been abandoned in Congress as impracticable. We cannot exclude 
the * philosophical ' anarchist, who holds his theory as a private 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 4m 

Opinion, and abhors the use of force ; we cannot flctcct liim, an.l. 

even if we could, he is not particularly dangerous. Then, to,,, 

we must bear in mind that his anarchism, fostered in many cases 

by Russian despotism, is likely to be laid aside and forgotten 

when he breathes the free air of the republic. 

" Under the present law we can already keep out all who 

have been convicted of violence or of instigating it. Tlie onb. 

class, therefore, for which we need a new law is made up of tlu- 

instigators of violence, who have not been detected or captured in 

Europe. We can hardly go to the length of excluding them on 

mere hearsay or suspicion, but, if we want anything like legal 

evidence, we must maintain in Europe a detective and police 

force superior to that maintained by the European governments, 

which are more eager than ours to run down and convict an 

anarchist. 

TRADITIONS OF A CENTURY. 

" Nor can we trample on our traditions of a centur}- and a 
quarter by sending back men of high character and aims \vho are 
political refugees. In short, we shall find it be3^ond our power to 
do much more than enforce rigorously the present law." 

The method by which freedom of speech may be limited so 
that the preaching of anarchism shall be effectually repressed 
without endangering any legitimate right is a problem that now 
confronts the American people. 

In 1893 and 1894, France teemed with associations and clubs 
of anarchists of the most dangerous type. Bombs were being 
thrown about in public places, and the disorder finally resulted in 
the stabbing of President Sadi-Carnot while riding in his carriage 
at the exposition in Lyons. The French Parliament prompt! \ 
took the whole subject under advisement and passed a series o; 
laws which have been in a high degree eftectuai in breaking up 
anarchist organizations all over the republic. These laws in the 
main are three in number. The first, enacted on December 12, 
1893, had for its purpose a modification of the libel laws so that 
exceptional penalties could be enforced against the publishers of 
anarchistic papers. 



458 ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 

The second, passed December i8, 1893, made it a punisliable 
offense to belong to anarchistic Associations and clubs, and the 
third, passed July 28, 1894, just after Sadi-Carnot's assassination, 
carried the principle still farther, increased the penalties and pre- 
scribed changes in legal process calculated to make conviction 
more speedy and certain. As a result of this legislation danger- 
ous groups have been dissolved in France, newspapers have 
been suppressed, club rooms have been abandoned and libraries 
have been dispersed. 

THE FRENCH LAW. 

Summarizing this legislation, we can very soon find lines 
along which to frame Jaws against the anarchists in this country. 
The French law creates ihiee distinct classes of crime — "provo- 
cation," " apologie " and " excitation" of soldiers to disobedience 
of their superior officers. While the last of these deeply concerns 
a country in which military conscription is universal, it can play 
but small part with us, and there remain, therefore, the two 
crimes of " provocation " and " apologie," that is, incitement to 
crime (murder or destruction of propert}^ by the spread of 
anarchistic teachings and the justification or glorification of 
crimes of anarchists by anarchists. 

" Apologie," while it used to be a punishable offense in 
France, was abandoned mail}' years ago. " It was not suspected 
then," says M. Loubat in his admirable work on the French laws 
against anarchists, "that a diabolical sect would arise to glorify 
assassination, incendiarism and destruction and make saints and 
heroes of abominable bandits." At the death of Sadi-Carnot the 
crime had to be revived for the anarchists, and many of them 
have been punished in France for the exaltation of the authors of 
foul deeds. 

The French penalties are sufficiently severe to potently deter 
the spread of anarchistic doctrine. If either of the two crimes of 
"provocation" or "apologie" is committed through the press the 
punishment is imprisonment for from one to five years and the 
payment of a fine of from 100 to 3,000 francs, together with con- 



ORIGIN AND RISE OF ANARCHISM. 4A9 

liscation of all outstanding copies of the publication. Ifil is com- 
mitted in a more private way the penalties are only sli^^litly 
modified. The act of incitement or exaltation is punisliahle, 
even if only one person be present, and whether by speech, by 
printed paper, by writing, cartoon, placard, song, cry (such as 
"Hurrah for anarchy") or by any other means, the crime is the 
same. 

If the sentence pronounced is for more than one year or if the 
prisoner has been before convicted of a like offense at any time 
within ten j^ears the law prescribes an additional penalty of exile. 
The publication of a report of anarchist trials in the courts is pro- 
hibited under heavy penalties. Every member of an anarchistic 
organization formed to advocate attacks on life and property 
may be imprisoned and banished b}^ the French law and the meet- 
ing places of the organization closed up. Those who lease build- 
ings to such societies are made accessories to the crime. 

It is along these lines that we must shape anti-anarchist 
legislation in this country, and we should begin the work at once. 
There are bands of these social brigands in each large American 
city. We owe it to ourselves to uproot these pernicious gangs, 
which, whatever else they have done, have produced in a short 
time the murderers of the heads of two great governments, Presi- 
dent McKinley and King Humbert. It is no infringement of any 
valuable American liberty to suppress their newspapers, dissolve 
their clubs and close up their meeting places. These results can 
be attained here as well as in France, and by a very similar system 
of legal procedure. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

Trial and Conviction of the Assassin — Remarkable Scenes in 
Court — Counsel Laments the President's Death — Sen- 
tence of Death Pronounced. 

T^HB assassin of President McKinley was convicted of murder 
^ in the first degree at 4.26 o'clock in the afternoon of Sep- 
tember 24th. Less than three hours of trial was required to 
hurry him to his doom, so that this will probably rank as the 
quickest capital case in the criminal annals of America. 

Virtually nothing was done beyond the narration of the 
established facts of the killing. What was termed defense con- 
sisted merely in admonition to the jury to gravely consider 
whether or not the assassin was laboring under mental aberra- 
tion, but no witnesses were called, and the address of counsel was, 
in all effect, a plea for the prosecution. 

The jur}^ was away from the court room exactly thirty-five 
minutes, but only from a sense of the decencies of legal proce- 
dure. They were unanimous in their finding before they left the 
box, and spent not a moment in deliberation. 

Says an eye-witness of the trial : 

'* Almost at the very moment that the last dramatic episode 
was acting to-day, the father, brother and sister of the assassin 
arrived from Cleveland. They are Paul, Waldeck and Victoria 
Czolgosz. Their avowed purpose was to aid in the speedy pun- 
ishment of the murderer of whom they speak in terms of loathing, 
but they were nevertheless taken into custody as a measure of 
precaution, and Czolgosz does not know they are in the city. 
Even if he knew he probably would not care. 

" The fellow is thoroughly callous. Resigned to the inevi- 
table consequences of his crime from the very moment of its 
inception, he is evidently empty of all human feeling. Neither 
hoping nor wishing for compassion, he rejected the creeds of God 

460 



CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OK THE ASSASSIN. 461 

and man and the ties of blood and friendship at tlu- same lime, 
and, with the abject indifference of an animal, lias ever sine- 
looked forward only to the verdict of the darkness and the 
silence that awaits him. 

"So much became clear in to-da3^'s testimonj-, which revealed 
many new details, and awful corroboration was given to it in the 
aspect and bearing of the creature at the most desperate moment 
that well can fall to humar kind. Not the tremor of a lash 
ruffled his stolidity when the words of doom were uttered. His 
fixed, abstracted gaze never stirred. He was still stone and iron, 
unrelenting, remorseless and heedless. 

" It was only twenty minutes to lo o'clock when the detec- 
tives brought him into court this morning. When they 
unshackled his hands he passed them carelessly over his thick 
damp locks. Then he crossed his legs, tapped a tattoo on the 
arm of his chair for a moment, and settled into the immovable 
attitude which has marked him throughout. 

BEGAN TO CARE FOR HIS APPEARANCE. 

" He did not sleep well last night, his wardens said, but ate 
his breakfast this morning with relish, consuming chops, eggs, 
rolls and three cups of coffee. He displayed some vanity about 
his appearance, too, insisting on straightening his hair with his 
fingers and smoothing the wrinkles in his clothes." 

By lo o'clock Justice White was on the bench, the lawyers 
in their places, and the hearing of evidence again in swift prog- 
ress. Mr. Mann was recalled and gave some very interesting 
medical testimony. Judge Lewis cross-examined. First he 

asked : 

" How do you guard against the invasion of germs in the 

wound ? " .-,11 

" By being very careful in the treatment," said the doctor. 
•When was the condition found at the autopsy to be 

expected from the wounds the President received ? " 

'' It was not expected, and was very unusual. I never before 

saw anything just like it" ^ 



462 CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF THE ASSASSIN. 

" Were there any indications that the President was not in 
good physical condition ? " 

" The President was not in perfect condition. He had been 
somewhat weakened by hard work and lack of exercise." 

District Attorney Pennj' then asked : 

*' From your knowledge and history of the case was there 
anything known to medical or surgical science which could have 
saved the life of the President ? " 

" There was not." 

Lewis Iv. Babcock, who was a member of the ceremonies 
committee on President's day, and Edward Rice, chairman of that 
committee, then gave their eye-witness versions of the shooting. 
Both were within a few feet of the President at the time. Mt. 
Rice's narration was very graphic. 

A ZEALOUS STUDENT OF ANARCHISM. 

The next witness gave the first circumstantial story of the 
confession alleged to have been made by Czolgosz on the night 
of his arrest. He was James L. Quackenbush, also a member 
of the ceremonial committee. He said : 

"I accompanied District Attorney Penny to police headquar- 
ters, arriving there between lo and ii o'clock. Upon reaching 
there we went to Chief Bull's office. Defendant was at a table 
in his office. Detectives Geary and Solomon, Inspector Donovan, 
Chief Bull, Mr. Haller, Mr. Storr and Frank T. Haggerty were 
present, and at intervals Air. Ireland, myself and Mr. Cusack. 
Mr. Penny immediately began to talk to the defendant about 
what he had done. 

" Then the defendant replied that he had killed the Presi- 
dent because he thought it was his duty. He said he understood 
the consequences, and was willing to take chances. 

" He illustrated with a handkerchief the way he had done 
it. He said he went to the Falls the day before to kill the Presi- 
dent, but was not able to get near enough. He added that he 
went to the Temple of Music for the purpose of killing the 
President, having his hand with the revolver in his right-hand 



CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF THE ASSASSIN. 46i 

pocket He stood in the crowd, but said that when he got in the 
line he put the hand against his stomach. Had he not been 
stopped he would have fired more shots. 

" He said he had been thinking about killing the President 
for three or four days. He had definitely determined to kill the 
President the day before." 

'^ Did he say why ? " asked the District Attorney. 

" Yes ; he said that he did not believe in the government ; 
that President McKinley was a tyrant, and should be removed. 
When he saw the President in the grounds, with the crowds 
struggling to get near him, he said he did not believe that any 
one man should receive such service, while all others regarded it 
as a privilege to render it." ^^ 

"Did he say where he had learned such theories?' 

"THOUGHT IT WAS HIS DUTY." 
"He said he had been studying those doctrines for several 

years • that he did not believe in government, the church, or the 

marriage relation. He gave names of several papers he had read. 

one of the Free Society, and mentioned places m Ohio where he 

had heard these subjects discussed." 

This was the first official mention of the anarchy plea story, 

and it was apparent on cross-examination that Judge Titus was 

skeptical about it. , ^ .< . *, 

"Were these statements made," lie asked, "in response to 

sueeestions from the ofadals or voluntarily ? " 

^^"At first," answered the witness, "in response to questions. 
Afterward he talked in a conversational way. and did not decline 
to answer anything." 

"Was he excited?" . . 

'"^ ■■" 'I killed President McKinley because I believed it to be my 



464 CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF THE ASSASSIN. 

duty. I don't believe one man should have so much service and 
another man should have none.' " 

District Attorney Penney then interpolated : 

" You made a statement that he said he was an anarchist ; is 
that right?" 

" I didn't make it so strong as that. He said he didn't 
believe in rulers, and had done his duty." 

The District Attorney used the word several times in ques- 
tioning him, and the substance of his answers was that he did all 
the theorizing on the matter for himself 

"During this line of testimony Czolgosz, without shifting his 
position, allowed his head to incline until it almost touched his left 
shoulder, but he did not raise his eyes, and once or twice dropped 
into a little doze. He was so absolutely unconcerned that he did 
not appear to be even listening to the testimony. 

THE ASSASSIN THROTTLED. 

With the calling of the Secret Service operatives the amus' 
ing little rivalr)^ as to who first attacked the assassin after the 
shooting came up. 

Albert Gallagher, of the Chicago office, said that he j umped 
toward Czolgosz and was borne down in the crowd. The revolver 
was knocked from the assassin's hand and somebody else got it, 
but he got the handkerchief^ He took this from his pocketbook 
and displayed it. It was a dirty rag, with two holes made by the 
bullets, and it was not a woman's handkerchief, as some imagina- 
tive stories have said. 

George K. Foster, the Washington Secret Service man, said : 

" I saw this man here (pointing to the assassin) put his 
hands together with a clap, and simultaneously I heard two 
reports. 

" I grabbed this man here (again pointing to Czolgosz), and 
just then some one gave him a shove from the other side. We 
went down to the floor. I tried to get a crack at him as he went 
down, but could not. I saw Gallagher and yelled : * Al, get the 
gun 1 get the gun 1 Al, get the gun 1' " 



CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF THE ASSASSIN. 4dA 

Judge Titus took up the cross-examination. 

''Were you observing the people in the line to sec if ihcy 
were armed?" 

" I was trying to." 

"Didn't you see this man with his arm across his l)rcast ?" 

"No ; they were passing too close together." 

"The line passed right in front of you, and this man had his 
arm up with a white handkerchief wound round his hand, and 
yet you could not see it ?" 

" I didn't see it and I was looking," answered Foster. 

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT TESTIFIES. 

The testimony of the afternoon session was largely' corrobo- 
rative of what had gone before. Superintendent Bull, of the local 
police, reiterated the story of the confession, and added that of 
the visit of Walter Nowak, of Cleveland, to Czolgosz the morning 
after the shooting. He said : 

" On Saturday morning Nowak was brought into the Super- 
intendent's of&ce and immediately recognized Czolgosz. Nowak 
said that he knew him in Cleveland. He said to Czolgosz : ' You 
know me, Czolgosz. I have always been a good friend of yours. 
Why did you commit this crime — this crime which will bring 
disgrace on the whole Polish race — this crime which will bring 
disgrace on your father and family ?' 

" Czolgosz only smiled, and said that Nowak was not a par- 
ticular friend.'' 

"He was asked if he wanted to see a lawyer, and he said he 
did not because he did not need one. He also said he had no 
friends, and did not care to see his father and mother." 

At the end of this testimony District Attorney Penney rested 
for the people, and amid profound silence Judge Lewis arose to 
open the defense. He began by explaining the position of hinjself 
and his colleague, and almost entreated that the legal necessity of 
it be understood. As he went on to discuss the case his voice 
trembled and he almost wept. 

"That, gentlemen, is about all I have to say. Our Pu-sident 

SOMcK 



4(J6 CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF THE ASSASSIN. 

was a grand man. I watched his career for twenty years, and 
always had the profoundest esteem for him. He was a tender and 
devoted husband, a man of finest character, and his death is the 
saddest blow I have ever known." 

He concluded abruptly, sank into his chair, and pressed a 
handkerchief to his eyes. It was the strangest plea for a murderer 
ever heard. Jndge Titus then arose. 

" The remarks of my associate," he said, " so completely cover 
the ground that it is not necessary for me to add anything." 

SENTENCED TO DEATH. 

This sudden action on the face of the expectation of expert 
testimony on insanity was a great surprise, and a buzz of talk 
followed. Silence fell again when District Attorney Penney arose 
for the last speech. It was brief, but full of feeling. He dwelt 
upon the entire certainty of the people's case and the utter 
absence of defense and urged that just as a defendant must be 
presumed innocent until proved guilty, so he must be presumed 
sane until proved otherwise. 

Apart from that argument the Prosecutor spoke of the horror 
of the crime and the eminent virtues of the martyr in such a strain 
of simple eloquence that men and women wept alike. Czolgosz 
never moved a muscle. 

It was 3.25 o'clock when Judge White charged the jury. 
He, too, paid tender tribute to the memory of the dead man and 
then instructed the jury in the legal requirements of the city. 

They retired at 3.51, and thirty-five minutes later brought in 
a verdict of murder in the first degree. 

On September 26th, Leon Czolgosz was sentenced to die dur- 
ing the week beginning October 28th. The sentence was pro- 
nounced by Justice White before whom the murderer was tried. 
The assassin showed signs of fear as the voice of the Judge pro- 
nounced his doom. During the night following, guarded by near- 
ly a score of deputy sheriffs, he was removed to Auburn Peniten- 
tiary. He collapsed on arriving at the prison, said he was sorry 
for his deed and expressed sympathy for Mrs. McKinley. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Our New President— Hon. Theodore Roosevelt Hurries to 
Buffalo on Receiving News of Mr. McKinley's Death- 
Sworn in as President with Impressive Ceremony- 
Pathetic Scene— His First Official Act. 

AA/'HHN our martyred President breathed his last. Vicc-Prcsi- 
' ' dent Roosevelt was far up in the Adirondack Mountains of 
northern New York. A few hours later his private secretary 
gave out the following statement : 

"The Vice-President wishes it understood that when he left 
the Tahawus Club house yesterdaj^ morning, (September 13th) 
to go on his hunting trip into the mountains, he had just received 
a dispatch from Buffalo stating that President McKinley was in 
splendid condition and was not in the slightest danger." 

Having been summoned to return instantly to Buffalo, Mr. 
Roosevelt was wildly careering over the mountain passes of the 
Adirondacks in a swinging, bouncing buckboard when President 
McKinley expired, and he became in fact the President of the 
United States. He thought he was racing with death, but death 
had already won. He was on the last relay before reaching Aden 
Alair, and Orrin Kellogg, one of the surest drivers in the North 
Woods, was urging his two bronchos to do their best up the wind- 
ing inclines and down again. 

It was at Aden Alair that " Mike " Cronin took the impatient 
Vice-President in charge and at the same time earned for himself 
eternal fame as the most level headed and uncommunicative per- 
son the world ever saw. In his pocket there reposed a telegram, 
conveyed by telephone and written down, addressed to Mr. Roose- 
velt. He knew it contained the fateful news from Buffalo. 

He noted Mr. Roosevelt's increasing nervousness and thought 
it the part of discretion and wisdom to deliver the telegram at tht 



468 OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 

Other eud of the tweuW mile route. Mr. Roosevelt was in abso- 
lute ignorance of the termination of the fatal tragedy at Buffalo, 
and the astute driver thought it best not to increase his impatience 
or further try his nerves. So, for a score of long, tortuous miles 
he grimly sat alongside his lone, but distinguished passenger, 
keeping as tight a grip on his secret as he did on his reins. 

This is Secretar\^ Hay's official notification to Mr. Roosevelt, 
sent before daylight in the morning, and which "Mike" 
Cronin, the driver, did not deliver until the perilous ride over the 
Adirondacks was over : — 

" Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, North Creek, N. Y. 
"The President died at 2:15 this morning. 

"John Hav, Secretary of vState." 

DASH DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ROADS. 

But the stor}^ of the dash down the rocky mountain roads is 
best told by " Mike" Cronin himself. First, he must be described. 
He is the landlord of the Aden Lair Lodge. In the sturdy man- 
hood of the thirties, he is the perfect type of the hard}^ moun- 
taineer, rugged and strong, with the eagle's eye and the bulldog's 
nerve and tenacity-. He is just the man to guide the chariot of 
the hills, the vehicle that flies, the buckboard. When the Vice- 
President jumped out of the Kellogg buckboard, Cronin was 
ready. Two horses, just as impatient as the man they were to 
haul, had long been hitched and standing alongside the road. A 
lantern was suspended over the dashboard. Its flickering light 
only made the driving reins more clearly visible. The black 
night it made blacker. 

But this is the w^ay the Spj'hnx of the Mountains tells it : — 

" I received notice at noon, over the telephone, to haveever}^- 
thiug ready for quick work, and that is just exactly what I did, 
and I was soon ready to start at any moment Mr. Roosevelt might 
reach Aden Lair. I had a span of blacks — fast steppers — hooked 
up, and, what was still better than their speed, they knew the 
road as well as I did myself, having made the trip from three to 



OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 44> 

six times a week all vSiiininer. I had expected Mr. Roosevelt 
aloug several hours sooner — as he might have hem had it not 
been for the careless bungling in getting word to him. He ouglil 
to have been hustled along faster, too. 

" My ! I made the last sixteen miles in one hour and forty- 
three minutes. It was the darkest night I ever saw. I could not 
even see my horses, except the spots where the flickering lantern 
lisfht fell on them. This time beat the best record ever made 
before by a quarter of an hour, and that record I had made myself, 
with a two-sealer, in daylight. 

" While I w^as watching for Air. Roosevelt I was fooled several 
times. There was a dance at a road house, three miles from my 
place, and after midnight the crowd was driving home— a regulai 
stream coming, with lights in their wagons— and I kept thinking 
each one was Mr. Roosevelt. There was a rainy mist, or a misty 
rain, and this made the night, already very dark, perfectly black. 

ROOSEVELT'S REMARKABLE NERVE 

'' Mr. Roosevelt is the nerviest man I ever saw, and I ain't 
easily scared myself At one place, while we were going down a 
slippery hill, one of the horses stumbled. It was a ticklish bit of 
road, and I was beginning to get somewhat uneasy and began 
holding the team back, but Air. Roosevelt said : 'Oh, that don't 
matter. Pusb ahead!' 

•' At another place we were going around a curve on a dugout 
—which, you know, is a piece of road cut in a steep hillside, h 
was a dangerous place, for if we had been upset we would have 
been pitched headlong down seventy-flve or a hundred feet. I 
told Mr. Roosevelt the danger as we drew near this risky sp-t, 
and suggested that I should slow up until we struck a better road. 
'He replied : ' Not at all ; push ahead. If you are not afraid I am 
not. Push ahead ! ' And so we did. Luckily we had a clear road, 
and did not meet a single team through the whole dnve. 

" Did the President talk much ? Very little about the situa- 
tion Most of the time he seemed to be in deep thought and vc^^ 
sad. About all the words he spoke were ' Keep up the pace. He 



470 OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 

held his watch in his hand all the while, and kept continually 
asking how far we had come or how far we still had to go. Until 
he got to Aden Lair he had carried a lantern in his hand, and 
he offered to do the same with me, but I told him it would be only 
a bother. I tell you, Mr. Roosevelt is a nervy man. I shall never 
drive over that dark road again without seeming to hear him say, 
'Push along ! Hurry up! Go faster !' '' That is the simple tale 
of a ride that is destined to be historic. 

ANXIOUSLY AWAITING HIS ARRIVAL. 

During the time that " Mike " Cronin was swinging through 
mountain defiles the little group of watchers at the North Creek 
station grew more anxious, as further news from the on-flying 
President was now shut off. Eagerl}^ they watched the waves of 
light creep up the eastern sky, and guesses were made as to the 
probable hour of arrival, but they all proved at least an hour 
too late, for " Mike " Cronin is a veritable Jehu, and the Presi- 
dent's eager anxiety caused a quick and tireless response. Some 
of the villagers began to stir about, and each one of those who 
had kept vigil through the night stood with eyes strained upon 
the turn in the road where the President was soon to appear. 

At length, with a simultaneous cry of "There he comes!" the 
blacks swept in sight and fairlj^ flew to the platform steps. With 
one bound Mr. Roosevelt was on the ground. With another he 
was on the platform receiving the greetings of his private secre- 
tary, Ivoeb, who, in low and hurried tones gave him his first news 
of President McKinley's death. The anxious face at once grew 
grave and sad. Then he gave the correspondent in waiting a 
cordial hand grasp. Another handshake with Station Agent 
Campbell and he rushed into his private car. 

Superintendent Hammond waved his hand for the start and 
followed his distinguished guest. Secretary Loeb and the con- 
ductor also stepped aboard. Nobody else was allovved on the 
train. The veteran engine driver pulled the throttle, and the 
party vanivshed in the mist rising from the Hudson, here a mere 
ribbon of silver shining in the growing light. 



OUR NEW PRESIDENT 471 

Swiftly fhey flew along the bank of this classic stream, banks 
of vapor still sleeping in tlie lowlands, and the far summits of the 
green sloped mountains glowing in the beams of the morning 
sun, still concealed behind them. On they sped, never pausing 
at the villages still wrapped in slumber, past Luzerne, Corinth, 
Saratoga, without rest, until Albany was reached, the givat dMuic 
of its towering capitol doubtless calling up strange dreams and 
memories in the mind of the nation's new Chief Magistrate. 

The coming of the new President at Buffalo, the incidents 
that filled his life between i o'clock in the afternoon and tlie time 
he retired, were of the most momentous and impressive character. 
A special train whirled him from the wilderness of the Adiroiidacks 
tu the deathbed of the President within the short space of nine 
hours. The train consisted of an engine and two cars, and was 
drawn up at the platform at North Creek, on the eastern slope of 
Adirondack range, at 5 o'clock in the morning. 

THE LIGHTNING TRAIN. 

As soon as Mr. Roosevelt was aboard, the engineer, with 
instructions to make the run of his life to Albany, pulled the 
throttle wide open and the train sprang out of tlie dawn into a 
stretch of track 104 miles long. 

Mr. Roosevelt's only traveling companion was his secretary, 
Mr. Loeb. Albany was reached at 8.04 o'clock. With a pause 
only long enough to change engines the special pulled out of the 
Albany depot at lightniug speed. The curtains of his car were 
drawn. No railroad train ever made the .:*me between Albany 
and Syracuse that the Roosevelt special did. Syracuse was 
reached at 10 o'clock. The special sped through Rochester and 
passed a crowd of nearly 50,000 people, at 12.0S. At 1.3S o'clock 
it pulled into the Buffalo depot, having broken every record for a 
run between Albany and that city. 

GeuTiral Roe and Mr. Wilcox were waiting for the Vic^- 
President, who stepped briskly from the train. He clutched the 
arm of Mr. W^ilcox and was guided through the cro^^'d of 3000 
people out of the depot to the sidewalk, where a clo.ed carnage 



473 OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 

was awaiting liim. On the box of the carriage was a coachman 
in blue and white livery. 

As the Vice-President and his companions came out of the 
depot three men sprang alertly to their sides. They were secret 
service detectives, instructed not to be five feet from the Vice- 
President until further orders. As, soon as the Vice-President, 
Secretary of War and Mr. Wilcox had entered the carriage, the 
door v/as slammed and it dashed through the crowd. 

Ten feet behind it was another carriage, containing the three 
secret service men. On either side of it were two mounted 
policemen. Following the carriage containing the detectives was 
a detail of the signal corps of the National Guard, brilliant in 
trappings of blue and gold, mounted on spirited horses and with 
sabres and chains clanking in accompaniment to the hoof beats 

of the horses. 

THROUGH THE SILENT THRONG. 

The cavalcade swept through Exchange Place into Main 
street, which was choked with people. There were no cheers, no 
swinging of hats or waving of handkerchiefs. The Vice-President 
was engaged in earnest conversation with Mr. Wilcox. 

As the carriage drew up in front of the Wilcox residence, on 
Delaware avenue, there were 5000 people gathered at the inter- 
section of Allen and North streets. In the house President 
Roosevelt found waiting for him Mr. Milburn, Mr. Scatcherd, 
Secretary of War Root, Secretary Long and Postmaster-General 
Smith. He changed his clothing and partook of a light 
luncheon. 

When he came to resume his headgear he discovered that 
he had not brought a silk hat with him, so Mr. Scatcherd, whose 
head is the same size as that of Mr. Roosevelt, sent to his house 
for one. The President wore that throughout the day. Ten 
minutes later he entered his carriage to go to the Milburn house. 
As Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Wilcox stepped into the carriage Mr. 
Roosevelt discovered that the signal corps was drawn up on either 
side of the street, forming a cordon through which his car"\age 
was to pass. 



OUR NEW PRESIDENT. .<73 

Tte Vice-President liesitated a iiiiiiutc and tlicii _t;(>t into the 
carriage, but as the militia started to follow he Icaind out of tin- 
window and said something to the coachman. The coachnum 
pulled up Ms horses. The Vice-President turned, and, disccrnin;,^ 
Lieutenant Colonel Chapin, who had been detailed U) j^rovide a 
military escort for liim, signalled for him to come np. The \'icc- 
President leaned far out of the carriage and said, with manifest 
displeasure : " Colonel, tell j^our men that I don't want any escort, 
I only needed two men — two policemen will do. I desire the 
military escort to remain here." 

"All right, Mr. President," said Colonel Chapin, saluting. 

"Goon," said the Vice-President to the coachman of his 
carriage. The coachman whipped up his horses. The carriage 
had proceeded about twenty feet when the Vice-President leaned out 
of the window again. His attention had been attracted by the 
rattle of hoofs following him. He thought the militia was dis- 
obeying orders. He discovered it was a detail of mounted police 
that had been furnished by the cit3^ 

DOES NOT WANT ANY ESCORT. 

** Hold on," he called to his coachman. Then,- turning to 
vhe sergeant, riding at the head of the police detail, he said : 
"vSergeant, I do not want any escort to the Alilburn house. Tell 
your men to stay here." The sergeant saluted and held his men 

back. 

"Go on," said the Vice-President. The policemen turned 
back, and the carriage, followed by another vehicle containing the 
Secret Service detectives, dashed up the avenue, which was lined 
deep with people. As the Vice-President alighted from the car- 
riage at the Milburn mansion a dozen photographers aimed thc-ir 
cameras at him, but he threw his arm up to prevent them catching 

his face. 

The President after the meeting of the Cabinet saw a tew 
personal friends and then putting on his hat said to Secretary 
Root : "Let us take a little walk ; it will do us both good." S.-c- 
retary Root assented and they walked out on the porch. 



^4 OUR NEW PRESIDENT, 

His host, Mr. Ansley Wilcox said : "Shan't I go a.^jg with 
you ? " He replied, " No, I am going to take a short walk up the 
street with Secretary Root and will return again." When he got 
down to the foot of the walk a couple of policemen and a couple of 
detectives in citizens' clothes started to follow him. He turned 
and told his secretary to tell them that he did not desire any 
protection. " I do not want to estalish the precedent of going 
about guarded." 

The policemen and detectives touched their hats, but before 
he had gone a hundred yards two of them were walking just 
behind him and two of them were following him on the 
other side of the street. The two distinguished men attracted 
but little attention until they got near the police lines on Dela- 
ware avenue, when, as the President stopped to shake hands and 
say good-bye to Secretary Root, some of the crowd recognized him 
and he was surrounded. The police drove the crowd back and the 
President, when he found that he could not help attracting atten- 
tion, said good-bye to Secretary Root and returned to the house 
alone. 

MR. ROOSEVELT TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE. 

Hon. Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President of the 
United States at 3.36 o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, Sep- 
tember 14th. Standing in a low-ceiled, narrow room in the quaint 
old mansion occupied by Ansley Wilcox, in the fashionable part 
of Delaware avenue, the aristocratic thoroughfare of Buffalo, Mr. 
Roosevelt swore to administer the laws of the Government of 
which he is now the head. He stood erect, holding his right 
hand high above his head. His massive shoulders were thrown 
well back, as, with his head inclined a little forward, he repeated 
the form of the oath of of&ce in clear, distinct tones, that fell 
impressively upon the ears of the forty-three persons grouped 
about the room. 

His face was a study in earnestness and determination, as he 
uttered the words which made him President of the United States. 
His face was much paler than it was wont to be, and his eyes, 
though bright and steady, gleamed mistily through his big-bowed 



OUR NEW PRESIDENT, ^1 

gold spectacles. His attire was sombre and modest. A well-fit- 
ting worsted frock coat draped his athletic figure almost to the 
knees. His trousers were dark gray, with pinstripes. A thin 
skein of golden chain looped from the two lower pockets of his 
waistcoat. While he was waiting for the ceremony he toyed with 
this chain with his right hand. 

The place selected for the ceremony of taking the <iath was 
the librar}^ of Mr. Wilcox's house, a rather small room, but pic- 
turesque, the heavy oak trimmings and the massive bookcases 
giving it somewhat the appearance of a legal den. A pretty bay 
window with stained glass and heav}^ hangings formed a back- 
ground, and against this the President took his position. 

Judge Hazel stood near the President in the bay window, and 
the latter showed his extreme nervousness by plucking at the 
lapel of his long frock coat and nervously tapping the hardwood 
floor with his heel. He stepped over once to Secretarj^ Root, and 
for about five minutes they conversed earnestly. The question 
at issue was whether the President should first sign an oath of 
office and then swear in or whether he should swear in first and 
sign the document in the case after. 

SECRETARY ROOT BREAKS DOWN. 

At precisely 3.32 o'clock Secretary Root ceased his conver- 
sation with the President, and, stepping back, while an absolute 
hush fell upon every one in the room, said in an almost inaudible 
voice : 

*' Mr. Vice-President, I- " Then his voice broke, and foi 

fully two minutes the tears came down his face and his lips 
quivered, so that he could not continue his utterances. There 
were sympathetic tears from those about him, and two great 
drops ran down either cheek of the successor of William 
McKinley. Mr. Root's chin was on his breast. Suddenly throw- 
ing back his head, as if with an effort, he continued iu broken 

voice : 

*'I have been requested, on behalf of the Cabinet of the late 
President., at least those who are present in Buffalo, all except 



476 OUR NEW PRESIDENT, 

two, to request tliat for reasons of weight affecting the affairs of 
government, 3-011 should proceed to take the constitutional oath 
of of&ce of President of the United States." 

Judge Hazel had stepped to the rear of the Piesident, and 
Mr. Roosevelt, coming closer to Secretary Root, said, in a voice 
that at first wavered, but finally came deep and strong, while, a;; 
if to control his nervousness, he held firmly to the lapel of his 
coat with his right hand : 

" I shall take the oath at once in accordance with your re- 
quest, and in this hour of deep and terrible national bereavement 
I wish to state that it shall be my aim to continue absolutely 
unbroken the policy of President McKinley for the peace and 
prosperity and honor of our beloved country." 

A HUSH LIKE THAT OF DEATH. 

The President stepped farther into the bay window, and 
Judge Hazel, taking up the constitutional oath of office, which 
had been prepared on parchment, asked the President to raise his 
right hand and repeat it after him. There was a hush like death in 
the room as the Judge read a few words at a time, and the Presi- 
dent, in a strong voice and without a tremor, and with his raised 
hand as steady as if carved from marble, repeated it after him. 

"And thus I swear," he ended it. 

The hand dropped by the side, the chin for an instant rested 
on the breast, and the silence remained unbroken for a couple of 
minutes, as though the new President of the United States was 
offering silent prayer. 

Judge Hazel broke the silence, saying : *' Mr. President, 
please attach your signature." And the President, turning to a 
small table near-by, wrote " Theodore Roosevelt " at the bottom 
of the document in a firm hand. 

*'I should like to see the members of the Cabinet a few 
moments after the others retire," said the President, and this 
was the signal for the score of the people, who had been favored 
by witnessing the ceremony, to retire. 

As they turned to go the President said : " I will shake 



OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 



477 



hands with you people, gladly," and, witli something of liis eld 
smile returning, he first shook hands witli the members of tlie 
Cabinet present, then Senator Depew and finally with a few 
guests and newspaper men. 

Those present in the room were Secretary of the Navy Long, 
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson, Secretary of the Interior Hilcli- 
cock, Ausley Wilcox, his personal friend ; William Loeb, private 
secretary of Mr. Roosevelt ; Secretary of War Root, Post- 
uaster General Smith, Senator Depew, Dr. Mann and Dr. Stock- 
ton and twent3^-four representatives of American and English 
newspapers, who had been invited by Mr. Roosevelt to witness 
the ceremony. In a doorway stood Mrs. Wilcox, I\Iiss Wilcox, 
Mrs. John G. Milburn, Mrs. Carlton Sprague, Mrs. Dr. Mann 
and Mrs. Charles Carre}^ 

INTIMATE FRIEND OF THE DEAD RULER. 

The first man to enter the house after the ceremony attracted 
almost as much attention as the new President. It was Senator 
Mark Hanna, the most intimate friend of the dead rnler. The 
meeting between Senator Hanna and the new President was 
cordial, though naturally solemn. The Senator did not look well, 
his face was pale and furrowed with gray lines. His eyes lacked 
the steady gleam which politicians have known for man}* years. 
He leaned heavily on a stout cane. 

President Roosevelt descried Mr. Hanna before he had 
mounted the steps of the house. He came alertly and expec- 
tantly through the crowd of well wishers surrounding him and 
held out both hands. '* How do you do, Senator, I am glad to 
see you," he said, in tones rather modified from his usual 
resonant enunciation. 

The lifelong friend of the dead President had his soft gray 
slouch hat in his right hand. He transferred it to his left, which 
held his cane, and holding out his right hand, he looked steadily 
at the new^ national chieftain. " Mr. President," he said, and 
those who w^ere standing within a few feet thought they detected 
a quaver in his voice. '' Mr. President, 1 wish you success and a 



478 OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 

prosperous administration ; I trust that you will command me ii 
I can be. of service." 

The two men, easily the two most interesting figures in the 
great tragedy, clasped hands for nearly a minute, but did not ex- 
change another word. The President walked to the door beside 
the limping figure of the Ohio Senator, who, as he passed down 
the stone walk faced the crowd and received many hearty hand- 
shakes, and heard many words of sympathy, but it is doubtful if 
he appreciated them. He looked straight ahead as he went, and 
extended his hand in the most perfunctory manner. 

As he entered the carriage waiting for him and was driven 
away his eyes were bent on the floor of the carriage, and he seemed 
to be thinking deeply. For an hour after the ceremony which had 
made him President, Mr, Roosevelt stood in the drawing room of 
the Wilcox mansion and heard expressions of good will. These 
were varied in form and he voiced his thanks most heartily. 

FERVENT BLESSINGS ON ROOSEVELT. 

*' God bless you, Mr. President," '* I wish you success, Mr. 
President, the country will pray for your success, Mr. President," 
were the customary forms of salutation and congratulation. A 
correspondent, who stood just back of Mr. Roosevelt, did not hear 
the words '* I congratulate you," used once. There could be no 
congratulations over President McKinley's death. 

When all of the persons who had witnessed the ceremony had 
left the house and the last of the callers had gone, the President 
retired to the apartments reserved for his use during his stay in 
Buffalo. The President passed the evening rather quietly at Mr. 
Wilcox's home, dining quite late. Governor B. B. Odell, of New 
York ; Congressman Lucius Littauer, of New York, and William 
Warden, of Buffalo, called during the evening, as did also Colonel 
Russell Harrison. The President, while affable, showed some 
effects of the long journey and the day's strain. However, he 
found time to have a chat with Governor Odell. The Governor 
cold the President that he intended issuing a proclamation concern- 
ing the President's death, and discussed the tenor of it. President 



OUR NEW PRKSIDENT. 4V» 



Roosevelt said that lie, too, would issue a proclamation, and that 
he had put it in the hands of Secretary Cortelyou to prepare as to 
form, after preparing the substance. 

At a meeting of the Cabinet in the afternoon, President 
Roosevelt requested that the members retain their positions, at 
least for the present, and they promised that they would do so. 
He also received assurances that Secretaries Hay and Cage, win; 
were absent, would remain for the time being. 

The first of&cial act of President Roosevelt was the issuing 
of the following proclamation, the appropriateness and felicitous 
expression of which could not be improved : 

PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT. 

" By the President of the Ignited States of America, a 
proclamation : 

*'x\ terrible bereavement has befallen our people. The Presi- 
dent of the United States has been struck down ; a crime com- 
mitted not only against the Chief Magistrate, but against every 
law-abiding and liberty-loving citizen. 

'' President McKinley crowned a life of largest love for his 
fellowmen, of most earnest endeavor for their welfare, by a death 
of Christian fortitude ; and both the way in which he lived his 
life and the way in which, in the supreme hour of trial, he met 
his death, will remain forever a precious heritage of our people. 

" It is meet that we, as a nation, express our abiding love and 
reverence for his life, our deep sorrow for his untimely death. 

"Now, therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, President ot the 
United States of America, do appoint Thursday next, September 
IQ the day in which the body of the dead President will be lai.l 
inks last earthly resting place, as a day of mourning and prayei 
throughout the United States. I earnestly recommend all the 
people to assemble in their respective places of divine worship, 
there to bow down in submission to the will of Almighty God, 
and to pay out of full hearts their homage of love and reverence 
to the great and good President, whose death has smitten the 
nation with bitter grief. 



480 OUR NEW PRESIDENT. 

"In witness whereof I have herennto set my hand and 
caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. 

''Done at the city gf Washington, the 14th day of September, 
A.D., one thousand nine hundred and one, and of the Inde- 
pendence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-sixth. 

*'(Seai..) THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

"By the President, 

"JOHN HAY, Secretary of State." 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

The Hero of San Juan — President Roosevelt's Active Life- 
Ancestry and Education— His Strong Personality— A 
Man of Deep Convictions and Great Courage. 

Presidents die, but our government continues with uuini. 
paired vitalit}-. Stocks fall, but values remain. The govern- 
ment of this Republic is based on the bedrock of the Constitution, 
and has in it, we fondly hope, the principle of immortality. A 
stricken nation weeps for its beloved President, William McKin- 
le}^, but its grief has in it no element of serious doubt or appre- 
hension for the future. There is no interregnum. Theodore 
Roosevelt is President of the United States. 

No man ever came to the President's of&ce so young as he, 
but for twenty years he has been in the public e3^e. He has had 
m-ore political experience and has been more in touch with public 
events than a large number of our Presidents previous to their 
inauguration. He has been all his life a student of our history 
and of public questions. He is a man of high standards and 
strong convictions and intense patriotism. 

His impetuous zeal and earnestness in whatever he undt'- 
takes has been heretofore one of the main sources of his strength 
and political success. Tempered and sobered by the grave 
responsibilities of his new position, these qualities, wisely directed, 
will makf his administration a power for good, full of solid 
achievement that makes for the peace and happiness of the 

people. 

While, therefore, we mourn with unaffected grief for oui bo- 
loved and honored President, William McKinley, there is no cau.c 
for alarm or uneasiness for the future. In the language of Presidenf 
McKinley, in one of his public addresses, ''The structure of the 
fathers stands secure upon the foundations on which they raised 
it, and is to-day, as it has been in the years past, and as it will b 
m the years to come, the Government of the people, by the people, 

31 McK ^^ 



e 



4S2 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

for thfe people. Be not disturbed. There is no fear for tlie 
Republic." 

Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York city on Octobei 
27, 1858, and comes from a family that for generations has been 
noted for its wealth, social position, high intelligence, disinterested 
public spirit, general usefulness and philanthropy. 

He is a Knickerbocker of the Knickerbockers, being seventh 
in descent from Klaas Martensen van Roosevelt, who, with his 
wife, Januetje Samuels-Thomas, emigrated from the Netherlands 
to New Amsterdam in 1649, and became one of the most promi- 
nent and prosperous burghers of that settlement. For two and 
a half centuries the descendants of this couple have flourished in 
and near the city of New York, maintaining unimpaired the high 
social standiug assumed at the beginning, and by thrift, industry 
and enterprise adding materially to the wealth acquired by inheri- 
tance. With the special opportunities for distinction affoided by 
the Revolution, a number of them came into marked prominence. 

CELEBRATED ANCESTORS. 

Just previous to that struggle, and during its earlier years, 
Isaac Roosevelt was a member of the New York Provincial Con- 
gress. Later he sat in the State Legislature, and for several 
years was a member of the New York City Council. For quite 
a long period he was President of the Bank of New York. Jacobus 
J. Roosevelt, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who 
was born in 1759, gave his services without compensation as com- 
missary during the War for Independence. A brother of this 
Revolutionary patriot, Nicolas J. Roosevelt, born in New York 
city in 1767, was an inventor of ability, and an associate of Robert 
L. Livingston, John Stevens and Robert Fulton in developing the 
steamboat and steam navigation. 

The grandfather of Governor Roosevelt, Cornelius van Shaick 
Roosevelt, born in New York city in 1794, was an importer of 
hardware and plate glass, and one of the five richest men in the 
town. He was one of the founders of the Chemical Bank. One 
of his brothers, James J. Roosevelt, was a warm friend and ardent 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 



48S 



supporter of Andrew Jackson; served in tlie New York TvCj:!^isla- 
ture and in Congress, and was a Justice of tlic Supreme Court of 
Ne\v York from 185 1 to 1859. 

A cousin, James Henry Roosevelt, was distinguished for his 
philanthropies, and left an estate of a million dollars — wliich, by 
good management was doubled in value — to found the famous 
Roosevelt Hospital in New York city. Cornelius V. S. Roosevelt 
married Mary Barnhill, of Philadelphia. Of their six sons, the 
sole survivor is the Hon. Robert B. Roosevelt, one of New York's 
most distinguished citizens, who has served in Congress and also 
as a United States Minister to the Netherlands. 

Theodore, another son, born in New York Cit}^, and deceased 
in 1878, was the father of President Theodore Roosevelt. He 
married Martha Bulloch, who with four of their children, sur- 
vived him. Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., continued in the business 
founded by his father, and became a controlling factor in the plate 
glass trade. He greatly augmented the family fortune, and at his 
death was reputed a millionairCc 

WEALTH NO BAR TO ACTIVITY. 

Theodore Roosevelt, therefore, was born to comparative wealth, 
but did not let that deter him from a life of activity. After grad- 
uating from Harvard, in 1880, he spent some time in European 
travel, climbing the Alps and tramping through the country dis- 
tricts of Germany. On his return home, he began the study of 
law, but plunged at once into politics, and in 18S1 was elected to 

the State Assembly. 

By re-election he continued in that body during the sessions 
of 1883 and 1884. He introduced important reform measures, 
and his entire legislative career was made conspicuous by the 
courage and zeal witli which he assailed political abuses 

In 1886 Mr. Roosevelt was the Republican candidate tor 
Mayor against Abram S. He.vitt, United Democracy, and Henry 
George United Labor. Mr. Hewitt was elected by about 22,000 
plurality. In 1889 he was appointed by President Harrison a 
member of the United States Civil Service Commission. His 



484 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

ability and rugged honesty in tlie administration of tlie affairs of 
that office greatly helped to strengthen his hold on popular 
regard. 

He continuedin that office until May i, 1895, when he resigned 
to accept the office of Police Commissioner from Mayor Strong. 
Through his fearlessness and administrative ability as President 
of the Board, the demoralized police force was greatly improved. 
Early in 1897 he was called by the President to give up his New 
York office to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Then 
again his energy and quick mastery of detail had much to do with 
the speedy equipment of the navy for its brilliant feats in the war 
with Spain. 

CRAVED SERVICE IN THE FIELD. 

But soon after the outbreak of the war his patriotism and 
love of active life led him to leave the comparative quiet of his 
government office for service in the field. As a lieutenant-colonel 
of volunteers he recruited the First Volunteer Cavalry, popularly 
known as the Rough Riders. The men were gathered largely 
from the cowboys of the West and Southwest, but also numbered 
many college-bred men of the East. 

In the beginning he was second in command, with the rank 
of lieutenant colonel, Dr. Leonard Wood being colonel. But 
at the close of the war the latter was a brigadier general, and 
Roosevelt was colonel in command. Since no horses were trans- 
|)orted to Cuba, this regiment, together with the rest of the cav- 
alry, was obliged to serve on foot. 

The regiment distinguished itself in the Santiago campaign, 
and Colonel Roosevelt became famous for his bravery in leading 
the charge up San Juan Hill on July i. He was an efficient 
officer, and won the love and admiration of his men. His care 
for them was shown by the circulation of the famous "round 
robin," which he wrote, protesting against keeping the army 
longer in Cuba. 

This violation of official rule deeply angered some of those 
in power at Washington, and there was a talk of visiting dis- 
pleasure on his head. But Roosevelt was by this time in such 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 



445 



high favor with the whole people that nothing was done beyond 
the publication of a letter by Secretary of War Alger reflecting 
on Roosevelt, which was received with general denunciation, and 
Roosevelt was, instead, commissioned colonel on July ii. 

Colonel Roosevelt was nominated as Governor of New York 
State on September 27, 1898, receiving 753 votes, as againt 214 
for Governor Frank S. Black. His Democratic opponent was 
Judge Augustus Van Wyck. Colonel Roosevelt entered into the 
campaign with characteristic enthusiasm, and visited nearly 
every part of the State. He drew to his support the majority of 
the Independent Republicans and many of the Democrats, and 
carried New York State by a plurality of 18,079. 

A STRONG CHARACTER. 

He brought to the new position the same force and personality 
that he had displayed in everything he had previously under, 
taken. Although classed in some particulars as an Independent 
Republican, he did not totally ignore the machine. Nor did he 
invariably follow its advice. He consulted all factions and fol- 
lowed what seemed to him to be the best course for the State. 
He maintained his reputation for independence, j^et held the re- 
spect of the greater part of the machine managers. 

As the Presidential year of 1900 approached, it became ap- 
parent- that there was a popular demand that Roosevelt should 
have a place on the Republican ticket. He at first refused to 
listen to any such suggestion, declaring that he much preferred 
to be Governor of New York, but was finally induced to consent 
to the use of his name, and at the convention held in this city, 
in June, 1900, he was enthusiasticall}- nominated for Vice-Presi- 
dent. He went into the campaign with his accustomed vigor, 
making a tour of the country and speaking at many places. His 
tour was, in fact, the one picturesque feature of an otherwisr- 
rather dull and uninteresting campaign. 

After his election he spent the winter quietly, with il.. 
exception of a hunting trip in the Rocky Mountains, on returning 
from^ which he had to contradict numerous wild stories of his 



486 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

alleged exploits, written by imaginative correspondents wlio were 
never near his party. He presided over tlie Senate during the 
session of 1901 with dignity and a comprehension of his duties 
which made a favorable impression on that body and upon the 
country. 

In the midst of his intensely active life Mr. Roosevelt has 
found time to do considerable literary work. The year after he 
was graduated from college he published his "Naval War of 
1812 ;" in 1886 there came from his pen a "Life of Thomas H. 
Benton," published in the "American Statesmen Series;" the 
following year he published a " Life of Gouverneur Morris," 
which was followed in 1888 by his popular " Ranch Life and 
Hunting Trail," 

AUTHOR OF MANY WORKS, 

In 1889 were published the first two volumes of what he consid- 
ers his greatest work, "The Winning of the West." In 1890 
he added to the series of "Historic Towns " a *' History of New 
York City." "Essays on Practical Politics," published -in 1892, 
was followed the next year by "The Wilderness Hunter," vv-hije 
in 1894 he added a third volume to his " Winning of the West." 
In 1898 he collected a volume of essays, entitled "American Political 
Ideas." Since the Spanish war he has written a book on ' The 
Rough Riders." 

When Theodore Roosevelt was first considered by the Repub- 
lican leaders for the position of Vice President, the possibility of 
his succession to the office of Chief Magistrate was thoroughly 
debated, and it was resolved that should he be called, under the 
organic law to act as President of the United States he would be a 
perfectly safe man for his party and for the people. There were 
those who feared his strenuosity — his radicalism in certain lines 
and his sturdy insistence on reform in the party, but after fully 
considering the character and history of the famous Rough Rider 
leader, his character was passed and he was voted a sound party 
man and an eligible and trusty candidate. 

Roosevelt's character is summed up pretty well in this mes 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 



«T 



sage lie sent a few years ago to a meeting of young men in New 
York City : 

''First and foremost be American, heart and soul, and go in 
witli any person, heedless of anything but that person's qualifica 
tions. For myself I'd as quickly work beside Pat Dugan as with 
the last descendant of a patroon ; it literally makes no difference 
to me so long as the work is good and the man is in earnest. One 
other thing I'd like to teach the young man of wealth. That he 
w^ho has not got wealth owes his first duty to his family, but lie who 
has means owes his first duty to his State. It is ignoble to try to 
heap money on money. I would preach the doctrine of work to 
all, and to the men of wealth the doctrine of unremunerative 
work." 

NEEDS NO APOLOGIES. 

A salient point in the public and private career of Theodore 
Roosevelt is that no one ever had to apologize for him. Away 
out on the northwestern border of North Dakota, 600 miles from 
St. Paul, where the little Missouri winds its swift way through 
the heart of the Bad Lands, there stands the town of ]Medora. 
There Theodore Roosevelt first put the eight-pointed cross brand 
on his own cattle, and gave the outside world an initial illustra- 
tion of what kind of strennonsness he believed in. 

Before that time (1S86-87) his personality had impressed itself 
upon college mates at Columbia and the small circle of intimate 
friends about him in New York city. But Medora, whether he 
intended it to be so or not, was the starting point in his public 
career. The man who would "come west" and not steal cattle 
from his neighbprs, who would "tote" fair, who, bred in luxury, 
would take the worst as well as the best of ranch life without a 
mnrmer, was a novelty to the press as well as the public, and as 
" cow man " the present President of the United States is known. 

" What strong direction did your home influence take in your 
boyhood ? " was asked Mr. Roosevelt, 

"Why," he replied, "I was brought up with the constant 
injunction to be active and industrious. ^My fithcr— nil my 
people—held that no one had a right to merely cumber the 



488 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

earth ; that the most contemptible of created beings is the man 

who does nothing. I imbibed the idea that I must work hard, 

whether at making money or whatever. 

"The whole family training taught me that I must be doing, 

must be working — and at decent work. I made my health what 

it is. I determined to be strong and well, and did everything 

to make myself so. By the time I entered Harvard College I 

was able to take my part in whatever sports I liked. I wrestled 

and sparred and ran a great deal while in college, and though 1 

never came in first, I got more good out of the exercise than 

those who did, because I immensely enjo3^ed it and never injured 

myself. 

PRACTICED WRESTLING AND BOXING. 

" I was fond of wrestling and boxing ; I think I was a good 
deal of a wrestler, and though I never won a championship, yet 
more than once I won my trial heats and got into the final round. 
I was captain of my polo team at one time, but since I left college 
I have taken most of my exercise in the 'cow country' or moun- 
tain hunting." 

Returning from the West he plunged into politics and was 
thrice chosen to the New York Legislature, wherein he became 
famous as a free lance. 

It was at this time that Mr. Roosevelt became involved in a 
conflict with the party organization and defeated it. He did it 
so thoroughly that his own delegates were sent to the county, 
State and national conventions of 1884. That was the year James 
G. Blaine desired to be President. Mr. Roosevelt escaped the 
Blaine contagion and took the New York delegation away from 
that statesman. He formed a combination between the Arthur 
and Edmunds men and defeated the Blaine following. 

He was sent to the Chicago convention with Andrew D. 
White, George William Curtis and a number of other famous men. 
It may be written here that Mr. Roosevelt never left the Republi- 
can party, but he has always felt that upon a question of principle 
he was bound to act upon his own judgment. He has held that city 
politics should be divorced from those of the State and the nation; 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 489 

that politics is not a grab game for spoils, but a dignified, honor- 
able science to be unselfishly pursued ; and yet he recognizes the 
fact that, in order to do good work in politics one must work with 
his party, which is to say with an organization. As a legislator he 
was a sore spot to "machine" partisans or men of corrupt in- 
clinations. Courageous men loved him. 

While in the Legislature he secured the passage of tlic 
measure which gave the Mayor of New York the power and 
opportunity to do his best in wielding the appointing power in 
connection with the police force. Prior to this the old Tweed 
charter had vested in the aldermen the power of rejecting or 
accepting the Mayor's appointments. The Roosevelt bill took 
this power from the aldermen. The Roosevelt investigation of 
the same year placed the county clerk's office, which had been 
reaping $82,000 a year in fees, upon a salary, and various other 
reforms were effected. In 1886 Mr. Roosevelt ran for Mayor of 
New York and polled a larger proportion of the total vote than 
was polled by any Republican canditate until AV. L. Strong was 

elected. 

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER. 

When General Harrison came to the Presidency he appointed 
Mr. Roosevelt Civil Service Commissioner, and that position he 
held until he became Police Commissioner of the city of New 
York. In the six years that he was Civil Service Commissioner 
he saw the law applied to twice as many offices as when he took 
the office ; in fact, he added 20,000 of&ces to the scope of the 
reform law. The law was also well executed whik he was in 

office. 

From the Police Commissionership he passed to the position 
of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, \vhere he woke up the fossils, 
gave Dewey the Manila opportunity, infused vigor into the 
officialism of Washington, made some people dislike him and a 
great many more care for him, and when war was threatened 
jumped into the centre of action with Colonel Leonard S. Wood 
and organized the Rough Riders. They fought like demons at 
Laf^ Guasimas. They passed on to Kettle Hill, to San Juan and 



4m SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

to Santiago, He was on tlie firing line always, taking just wliat 
his men did, asking no more. Regular army officers called kim an 
"ideal commander." His regiment was cared for as few were 
during tke short period of the Spanish-American War. From 
Santiago he went to Camp Wikoff, and thence to the Governorship 
of New York by popular will. As Governor, he marked himself 
by his persistent fight against legislative corruption, and in favor 
of fair corporation taxation. 

Mr. Roosevelt married Miss Edith Kermit Carrow in 1886, 
and they have five children, three boys and two girls, and a 
daughter by the first Mrs. Roosevelt. His home, where all his 
children were born, is called Sagamore Hill, and is at Oyster Bay, 
L. I. In New York city he sometimes occupies a rented house. 
Mrs. Roosevelt and the children are essentially a part of his life. 
While his official duties keep him away from them they are never 
absent from his thought nor he from theirs. His home life is as 
ideal as his public life is clean. 

MADE SPEECHES IN THE WEST, 

Colonel Roosevelt visited the West and made several speeches 
in which he fully maintained the independent stand he years ago 
assumed, but heartily endorsed the policies of the administration 
and the fundamental principles of the Republican party. 

Theodore Roosevelt has had sorrow, having lost a beloved 
mother and a most charming wife, his first love, who was Miss 
Alice Lee, of Boston. They died in the same house within a few 
hours of each other, and the grief of the great strong man was 
pitiful to behold. 

The present Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, who, before her mar- 
riage was Edith Carow, of New York, is a remarkable woman, and 
one of rare personality. She is a woman of the highest principle 
and of a far more than ordinary mental calibre. From her earliest 
childhood she has been an omnivorous reader and a constant 
student. She has always shrunk from an3^thing like notoriet}^, 
and the necessary publicity that her husband's position has forced 
upon her has been^ so far as lay in her power, made less 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 4.,, 

conspicuous. Slie is a New Yorker by birth, was educated at one 
of the fashionable schools and has spent several years traveling 
abroad. She is an accomplished linguist and her musical hiiowl- 
edge is far above the ordinarj^ 

Ever since her marriage she has devoted herself, heart and 
soul, to her husband's career and at the same time has been a 
devoted mother. She has not, in one sense of the word, gone 
into society at all, although by her birth as well as her marriage 
she has always had a position which involves certain social duties. 
Her circle of acquaintances has been from childhood the same as 
her husband's, and they have among their friends the leading 
people of the country. Mrs. Roosevelt is rather petite, has brown 
hair and brown eyes, a clear skin with some color when she is 
excited, but her chief beauty is her mouth, which is marvelously 
expressive. 

HIS PERSON AND DRESS. 

Mrs. Roosevelt dresses neatly and simply with a quiet ele- 
gance. Her wealth of tresses is pushed back from the forehead, 
except a few curly ringlets that play about her temples. She is 
not an athlete, but she is a finished horsewoman and is fond ot 
outdoor exercise. Mrs. Roosevelt is a member of half a dozen 
clubs and has long been identified with a score of -^harities. 

She possesses the great talent which made ]\Iis. Cleveland so 
popular, of remembering the faces of people she meets once or 
twice and also being able to remember all about them. She is 
the boon companion, as well as the very wise and tender mother, 
of her stepdaughter and her own children, who are much younger 
than Miss Alice Roosevelt. She has a wide knov.dedge of politics, 
.both foreign and American. She is a frail looking women, but 
has much more strength than she apparently possesses. She is 
deeply religious. 

Mr. Roosevelt's two sisters are women noted for their rare 
charm, intelligence and their most gracious manners. Mrs. 
Cowles, formerly Miss Anna Roosevelt, has been married only a 
few years, although she is older than her brother Theodore. Her 



492 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, 

charitable work is known the world over, and lier business ability 
is striking. 

When her cousin, Mr. ' J. Roosevelt, was in charge of the 
British Embass}^ in London, she went over as his guest and 
stayed with him for a time, taking charge of his household. Her 
success as a hostess was marvelous in London, in fact, in Eng- 
land, where she made countless warm friends, and where she met 
Commander Cowles, whom she married the following year. In 
Washington, where she is a very marked personality, she comes 
nearer to having a salon than any other Ame *ican woman. 

STRONG LOVE OF HOME. 

The Roosevelt love of home is a marked characteristic of the 
family not confined at all to this generation, for the Roosevelt clanish- 
ness was at one time a byword, and to this day the immediate members 
of the Roosevelt family apparently find more pleasure in each 
other's society than in that of any of their friends. Mr. Roosevelt 
certainly takes intense pleasure in being with his children, as 
they do in being with him. Home for the Roosevelt is the " dearest 
spot on earth." 

A prominent journal says : — " Upon Theodore Roosevelt, 
whom circumstances as unexpected as they are sad have made the 
twenty-fifth President of the United States, the eyes of an ex- 
pectant nation are now turned, dimmed though they be with tears. 
What will the new President make of his opportunity ? What 
will be his policy, and whom will he seek for his advisers ? Such 
are the questions on many lips. President Roosevelt has as yet 
had little to say on these topics of absorbing public interest ; 
indeed, volubility on these subjects on his part would at this time 
have been most unbecoming. The few words spoken by him, 
however, after the oath of office had been administered by Judge 
Hazel at Buffalo are reassuring. 

" 'In this hour of deep and national bereavement,' said the 
newly inaugurated Chief Magistrate, ' I wish to state that it shall 
be my aim to continue absolutely and without variance the policy 
of President McKinley for the peace and prosperit}^ and honor of 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVi:i.r. 495 

our beloved countr3\' Nothing more could be desired, particu- 
larly if tbe words of the iucomiug Executive referred to the later 
polic}^ of his lamented predecessor, whose outlook had become 
broadened by experience and inspired by a spirit more cosmopoli- 
tan than that which had characterized the putative author of the 
McKinley bill. 

" But Mr. Roosevelt is not an unknown quantity in public 
life in the United States. Few men at his age in recent Ameri- 
can history have attained equal distinction and notoriety — the 
word being used in no invidious or disparaging sense. He has 
lived in the white light of publicity almost from his 3-outhful cow- 
boy days. He sprang into early fame as the historian of the 
conquest of the Great West, and has since remained promiuent^ 
with few intermissions, in various branches of the public service 
more or less important. He has been Police Commissioner in 
New York city, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel of Vol- 
unteers, Governor of his native State, and Vice President of the 
Union ; and now he has attained the highest honor within reach 
of an American citizen. 

HIS CHARACTER AN OPEN BOOK. 

"If Theodore Roosevelt's character has not been read by 
the American people as an open book spread out before them, it 
has not been through any fault of his own. He has not been 
content to talk of the strenuous life ; he has lived it. Intensity 
is his predominant trait. His greatest failing, perhaps, is lack 
of steadiness— by which it is not to be inferred that he is weak. 
Far from that being the case, he is, if anything, too strong-willed. 
But what is meant is that he has betrayed in the past want of 
poise. This failing, however, is usually associated with immn 
turity, and is likely to be sloughed off as the individual possessed 
of it attains riper experience. 

" President Roosevelt has wit and grit, and if he shall keep 
his feet on firm ground, the affairs of the nation will doubtless be 
quite secure in his hands, and will be conducted by him with di.s- 
creet conservatism. The weight of responsibility is not couduci\ e 



m SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

to soaring ; and tlius ballasted tliere is every ground for expecting 
President Roosevelt to turn his back to tbe glory -crowned beiglits 
and to travel tlie safe tbougb prosaic and toilsome path, of duty, 
as will be required of bini by the national interests." 

The following estimate of Mr. Roosevelt was written during 
the campaign that made him Vice-President It is from a Colorado 
poet in praise of the Rough Rider : 

" Now, doff your hat to Teddy, boys, for he's the proper man. 
His life has been a triumph since its starting first began. 
His pluck and spirit in the days he roamed upon the range 
Has builded up a character no circumstance can change. 
From a cowboy on the 'round-up' to the Governor of his State 
We've always found a man in him that's strictly up to date. 
As a daring * bronco buster,' or a Colonel in command, 
We'll greet him with McKinley with an open, hearty hand. 
He served his country nobly and fired his faithful boys 
With patriotic valor, amid the cannon's noise. 
And, as they to him were loyal, in battle's fierce array^^ 
So will the voters prove to be upon election day. 
Now doff your hats to Teddy, boys, the man with grit and nerve 
In every office that he fills, the people will he serve. 
Progression is his policy, no laggard in the race^ 
He'll lead us on to victory, whatever be the pace." 

Theodore Roosevelt is the third graduate of Harvard Uni- 
versity to hold the highest honor in the gift of the American 
people. John Adams and John Quincy Adams were graduated 
from Harvard. It was in 1825 when J. Q. Adams became presi- 
dent. Now comes Roosevelt. Roosevelt entered Harvard in 1S76, 
when he was eighteen years old. His work in college was charac- 
terized by the enthusiasm and earnestness which have become 
known to all the people as dominant traits of his character in 
public life. 

When he came to the Cambridge college he was a slight lar? 
and not in robust health, but he at once took a judicious anc 
regular interest in athletics and in a little while the effects were 
apparent in his stalwart figure and redoubled euergy. He 



SKKlCri OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 466 

wrestled and sparred and ran a great deal, but never indulging 
in athletic work to tlie point of inj ury. 

In Hs studies young Roosevelt was looked upon '' as pecu- 
liarly earnest and mature in tke way lie took hold ui Lhings," as 
one of his classmates put it. Ex-Mayor Josiah Quincy, of Boston, 
who was in college with Roosevelt, says of him : 

" He exhibited in his college days most of the traits of 
character which he has shown in after years and on the largcr 
stage of political life. In appearance and manner he has changt-.i 
reniarkably little in twenty years, and I should say that his lea'l- 
ing characteristic in college was the very quality of strenuousllcs^ 
which is now so associated with his public character. In what- 
ever he did he showed unusual energy, and the same aggressivo 
earnestness which has carried So far in later life. 

MATURE BEYOND HIS YEARS. 

*' He exhibited a maturity of character, if not of intellecnifiJ 
development, greater than that of most of his classmates, and was 
looked upon as one of the notable members of the class-as one 
who possessed certain qualities of leadership and of popularity 
which might carry him far in the days to come, if not counter- 
balanced by impulsiveness in action or obstinacy ni adhering to 
tis own ideas. He was certainly regarded as a man of unusually 
^ood fighting qualities, of determination, pluck and tenacit.r. 

"If his classmates had been asked in their senior year to 
pick out the one member of the class who would be best adapted 
for such a service which he rendered with the Rough Riders ir 
Cuba I think that, almost with one voice, they would have named 
Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt is in many respects as broad and 
typical an American as the country has produced. 

Both his fellows and his teachers say that he was much abcn . 
the average as a student. He was just as original, just .is relian 
on his own judgment as he is now. In a mere matter of opm on 
or of dogmihe\ad no respect for an instructor say-so above In 
.wn convictions, and some of his contemporaries - - ^^^^ ^^f 
^th smiles so^e very strenuous discussions with teacher, n, 



496 SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

whicli he was involved by his habit of defending his own convic- 
tions. 

At graduation he was one of the comparatively few who took 
honors, his subject being natural history. When young Roose- 
velt entered college he developed the taste for hunting and natural 
history which has since led him so often and so far through field 
and forest. His rifle and his hunting kit were the most conspicu- 
ous things in his room. His birds he mounted himself. 

Live turtles and insects were always to be found in his study, 

and one who lived in the house with him at the time recalls well 

the excitement caused by a particularly large turtle sent by a 

friend from the southern seas, which got out of its box one night and 

started for the bathroom in search for water. Although well 

toward the top as a student he still had his full share of the gay 

rout l$hat whiles dull care away. In his sophomore year he was 

one of the forty men in his class who belonged to the Institute of 

1770. 

BELONGED TO SEVERAL CLUBS. 

In his senior year he was a member of the Porcelain, the 
Mpha Delta Phi, and the Hasty Pudding Clubs, being secretary 
of the last named. In the society of Boston he was often seen. 

Roosevelt's membershiD in clubs other than social shows 
conspicuously the kind of college man he was. In rowing, base- 
ball and foot-ball he was an earnest champion, but never a promi- 
nent participant. In the other athletic contests he was often seen. 
It was as a boxer that he excelled. Boxing was a regular feature 
of the Harvard contests of that day, and " Teddy," as he was uni- 
versally called, was the winner of many a bout. 

He had his share in college journalism. During his senior 
year he was one of the editors of the "Advocate." Unlike the other 
editors, he was not himself a frequent contributor. 

The range of his interests is shown by this enumeration of 
clubs in which he had membership. The Natural History Society, 
of which he was vice-president ; the Art Club, of which Professor 
Charles Hliot Norton was the president ; the Finance Club, the 
Glee Club (associate member), the Harvard Rifle Corps, the O- K* 



SKETCH OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 4^^ 

Society, of wliich lie was treasurer, and the Harvard Atlilctic 
Association, of which he was steward. 

Roosevelt's share of class-day honors was membership in the 
class committee. All who knew Roosevelt in his college day.s 
speak of him as dashing and pictnresque in his ways and hand- 
some appearance. His photograph, taken at gradnation, sliows 
no moustache, but a rather generous allowance of side whiskers. 

Although he was near-sighted and wore glasses at tlie time, 
they do not appear in the photograph. Maturity and sobriety are 
the most evident characteristics of the countenance. A companion 
of student days tells a story to show that the future President did 
things then much as he does them now. A horse in a stable close 
to Roosevelt's room made a sudden noise one night which de 
manded instant attention. 

BOUNDED FROM AN UPPER WINDOW. 

Young Roosevelt was in bed at the time, but he waited not 
for da3^time clothes. Nor did he even wait to go down the steps. 
He bounded out the second-story window, and had quieted the 
row before the less impetuous neighbors arrived. It was while in 
college that he conceived the idea of his history of the American 
Navy in the War of 1812. This volume was written soon after 
leaving college. He was not yet twent3'-four when it was completed. 

In view of the position which the author afterward held, next 
to the head of the American Navy, the preface, written before the 
beginning of our present navy, is of striking interest. He says : 
"At present people are beginning to realize that it is folly for the 
great English-speaking Republic to rely for defense upon a navy 
composed partly of antiquated hulks and partly of new vessels 
rather more worthless thau the oldL" 



8£ McK 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

President Roosevelt in the Battle of San Juan— Story of 
Brave Exploits — Narrow Escape — Ballad of " Teddy's 
Terrors." 

THB part acted by President Roosevelt in onr war witli Spain 
gave him great prominence and showed the sterling charac- 
teristics of the man. General Wheeler's official account of the 
first battle at Santiago officially known as the battle of Siboney, 
or La Quasina, thus refers to the famous Rough Rider : 

" Colonel Wood's regiment was on the extreme left of the 
line and too far distant for me to be a personal witness of the 
individual conduct of the officers and men ; but the magnificent 
bravery shown by the regiment under the lead of Colonel Wood 
testifies to his courage and skill and the energy and determina- 
tion of his officers, which have been marked from the moment he 
reported to me at Tampa, Fla., and I have abundant evidence of 
his brave and good conduct on the field, and I recommend him 
for the consideration of the Government. I must rely upon his 
report to do justice to his officers and men, but I desire person- 
ally to add that all I have said regarding Colonel Wood applies 
equally to Colonel Roosevelt. 

" I was immediately with the troops of the First and Tenth 
Regular Cavalry, dismounted, and I personally noticed their 
brave and good conduct, which will be specially mentioned by 
General Young." 

" There must have been nearly fifteen hundred Spaniards in 
front and to the sides of us," said Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt 
j ust after the fight. " Thej^ held the ridges with the rifle pits 
and machine guns, and hid a body of men in ambush in the 
thick jungle at the sides of the road over which we were advanc- 
ing. Our advance guard struck the men in ambush and drove 
them out. But they lost Captain Capron, Lieutenant Thomas 
and about fifteen men killed or woundedo 



STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS. 



«fiV 



"Tlie SpanisH firing was accurate, so accurate indeed that it 
surprised me, and tlieir firing was fi;arfully heavy. I want to say 
a word far our own men," continued Ivientenant-Colouel R(i(>se- 
velt. "Every officer and man did his duty up to th-: handle. Not 
a man flinched." 

From another officer who took a prominent part in the ll^hl- 
iug, more details were obtained. "When the firing began," said 
he^ "Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt took the right wing with 
Troops G and K, under Captains Llewelyn and Jenkins, and 
moved to th.e support of Captain Capron, who was getting it hard. 
At the same time Colonel Wood and Major Brodie took the left 
wing and advanced in open order on the Spanish right wing. 
Major Brodie was wounded before the troops had advanced onL- 
hundred 5/ards. Colonel Wood then took the right wing an^'. 
shifted Colonel Roosevelt to the left. 

"WITH A YELL, THE MEN SPRANG FORWARD." 

"In the meantime the fire of the Spaniards had increased in 
volume, but, notwithstanding this, an order for a general charge 
was given, and with a yell the men sprang forward. Colonel 
Roosevelt, in front of his men, snatched a rifle and ammunition 
belt from a wounded soldier, and cheering and yelling with liis 
men, led the advance. In a moment the bullets were singin-.r 
like a swarm of bees all around them, and every instant some poo- 
fellow v/ent down. On the right wing Captain McClintock ha ; 
liis leg broken by a bullet from a machine gun, while four of hi- 
men w^ent down. At the same time Captain Luna, of Troop F. 
lost nine of his men. Then the reserves, Troops K and E, were 
ordered up. 

" There was no more hesitation. Colonel Wood, with the 
right wing, charged straight at a block-kouse eight hundred yard.- 
away, and Colonel Roosevelt on the left, charged at the .'^ani . 
time. Up the men went, yelling like fiends and never stoppin- 
p return the fire of the Spaniards, but keeping on with a griir. 
determination to capture the block-house. 

" That charge was the end. When within five huudred yards 



m STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS 

of tlie coveted point tlie Spaniards broke and ran, and for tlie first 
time we had tlie pleasure, whicli tlie Spaniards liad been experi- 
encing all througb tbe engagement, of shooting witn the enemy 
in sight." 

Said an officer of high rank : ^* I cannot speak too highly ol 
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. He is every inch a fighter, and led 
a charge of dismounted cavalry against men in pits at San Juan 
successfully. It was a wonderful charge, and showed Roosevelt's 
grit. I was not there, but I have been told of it repeatedly by 
those who saw the Colonel on the hill. 

Two reports made by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt to his 
superior officer in front of Santiago in July were given out by the 
War Department at Washington, December 22, 1898. Both re- 
ports describe the operations of the Rough Riders in the battle of 
San Juan, the second telling a much fuller story. 

THE BRAVE TROOPERS, 

In his first report, dated July 4th, he mentions byname many 
of the troopers who distinguished themselves by their bravety. 
This part of the report, which was made by Roosevelt, as lieu- 
tenant-colonel in charge of the regiment, to Colonel Wood, tem- 
porarily in charge of the brigade, was as follows : 

"We went into the fight about four hundred and ninety 
strong. Bighty-six were killed or wounded and there are half a 
dozen missing. The great heat prostrated nearly forty men, 
some of them among the best in the regiment. Besides Captain 
O'Neill and Lieutenant Haskell, who were killed, Lieutenants 
Leahy, Devereaux and Case were wounded. All behaved with 
great gallantry. As for Captain O'Neill, his loss is one of the 
severest that could have befallen the regiment. He was a man 
of cool head, great executive ability and literally dauntless 
courage. 

" To attempt to give a list of the men who showed signal 
valor would necessitate sending in an almost complete roster of 
the regiment. Many of the cases which I mention stand merely 
as examples of the rest not as exceptions. 



STORY 0? BRA VI EXPLOITS. 



Wl 



"Captain Jenkins acted as Major and showed such con- 
spicuous gallantry and efficiency that I earnestly hope he may 
be promoted to major as soon as a vacancy occurs. Captains 
Lewellen, Mnller and Luna led their troops tliroughout the 
charges, handling them admirably. At the end of the battle 
Lieutenants Kane, Greenwood and Goodrich were in charge of 
their troops immediately under my eye, and I wish particularly 
to commend their conduct throughout. 

*' But the most conspicuous gallantry was shown by Trooper 

Rowland. He was wounded in the side in our first fight, but kept 

in the firing line. He was sent to the hospital the next day, but 

left it and marched out to us, overtaking us, and fought all 

through this battle with such indifference to danger that I was 

forced again and again to restrain and threaten him for runniug 

needless risks. 

CLIMBED A WIRE FENCE. 

'' Great gallantry was also shown by four trooper? whom I 
cannot identif}^ and b}- Trooper Winslow Clark, of Troop G. It 
was after we had taken the first hill. I had called out to rus'.i the 
second, and having by that time lost my horse, climbed a wire 
fence and started toward it. 

*' After going a couple of hundred yards under a heavy fire, 
I found that no one else had come. As I discovered later, it was 
simply because in the confusion, with men shooting and being 
shot, they had not noticed me start. I told the five men to wait 
a moment, as it might be misunderstood if we all ran back, while 
I ran back and started the regiment, and as soon as I did so the 
regiment came with a rush. 

" But meanwhile the five men coolly lay down in the open, 
returning the fire from the trenches. It is to be wondered at that 
only Clark was seriously wounded, and he called out, as we passed 
again, to lay his canteen where he could rea(-h it, but to continue 
the charge and leave him where he was. All the wounded had to 
be left until after the fight, for we could spare n-. men from the 
firing line. Very respectfully, 

" Theodore Rooskvelt'' 



®02 STORY OF BRaVF, F.XPLOriB. 

The second and more important report was addressed to Brig- 
adier General ¥/ood, and dated Camp Hamilton, near Santiago, 
July 2otii. It was as follows : 

^' Sir— In obedienee to your directions I herewitli report on 
tlie operations of my regiment from tiie ist to the 17th inst.. 
inclusive 

" As I have already made you two reports about the first 
day's operations, I shall pass over them rather briefly. 

*^ On the morning of the first day my regiment was formed 
at the head of the second brigade, by the Bl Paso sugar mill. 
When the batteries opened the Spaniards replied to us with 
shrapnel, which, killed and wounded several of the men of my 
regiment. We then marched towards the right, and my regiment 
crossed theford before the balloon came down there and attracted 
the fire of the enemy, so at that point we lost no one. My orders 
had been to march forward until I joined General Law ton's right 
wingj but after going about three-quarters of a mile, I was halted 
and told to remain in reserve near the creek by a deep lane, 

A SHOWER OF BULLETS, 

"The bullets dropped thick among us for the next hour 
while we lay there, and many of my men were killed or wounded. 
Among the former was Captain O'Neill, whose loss was a very 
heavy blow to the regiment, for he was a singularly gallant and 
efficient officer. Acting Lieutenant Haskell was also shot at this 
time. He showed the utmost courage and had been of great use 
during the fighting and marching. It seems to me some action 
should be taken, about him. 

"You then sent me word to move forward in support of the 
regular cavalry^ and I advanced the regiment in column of com- 
panieSj each company deployed as skirmishers. We moved 
through several skirmish lines of the regiment ahead of us, as it 
seemed to me our only chance was in rushing the intrenchments 
in front instead of firing at them from a distance, 

^* Accordingly we charged the blockhouse and entrenchments 
rm the hill to our right against a heavy fire. It was taken it? 



STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS. 603 

good style, the men of my regiment thus being the first to capture 
any fortified position and to break through the Spauish lines. 
The guidons of G and E trood were first at this point, but sonic 
of the men of A and B troops, who were with me personally, got 
in ahead of them. At the last wire fence up this liill I was 
obliged to abandon my horse, and after that we went on foot. 

*' After capturing this hill we first of all directed a heavy 
fire upon the San Juan hill to our left, which was at the time 
being assailed by the regular infantry and cavalry, supported by 
Captain Parker's Gatling guns. By the time San Juan was 
taken a large force had assembled on the hill we had previously 
captured, consisting not only of my own regiment, but o^ the 
Ninth and portions of other cavalry regiments. 

CHARGE UNDER HOT FIRE. 

*^ We then charged forward under a very heavy fire across the 
valley against the Spanish entrenchments on the hill in the rear 
of San Juan hill. This we also took, capturing several prisoners. 

" We then formed in whatever order we could and moved for- 
ward, driving the Spanish before us to the crest of the hills in 
front, which were immediately opposite the city of Santiago itself 
Here I received orders to halt and hold the line on tlie hill's 
crest. I had at the time fragments of the Sixth Cavalry Rcgi 
ment and an occasional infantryman under me~three or f)nr 
hundred men all told. As I was the highest there, I took com- 
mand of all of them, and so continued till next morning. 

'-The Spaniards attempted a counter attack that afterajou, 
but were easily driven back, and then, until after dark, wc- 
remained under a heavy fire from, their rifles and great guns 
tying flat on our faces on a gentle slope just behind the crest.^ 

"Captain Parker's Gatling battery was run up to the right 
ofmy regiment and did most excellent and gallant service. In 
order to charge the men had, of course, been obliged to throu 
away their packs, and we had nothing to sleep in and nothing to 
eat. We were lucky enough, however, to find in the last block 
house captured, the Spanish dinners, still cooking, which we ai. 



804 STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS. 

witli relish. They consisted chiefly of rice and peas, with a big 
pot containing a stew of fresh meat, probably for the officers. 

" We also distributed the captured Spanish blankets as far as 
they would go among our men, and gathered a good deal of 
Mauser ammunition for use in the Colt rapid fire guns, which 
were being brought up. That night we dug entrenchments across 

the front. 

" At three o'clock in the morning the Spaniards made another 
attack upon us, which was easily repelled, and at four they opened 
the day with a heavy rifle and shrapnel fire. All day long we 
remained under this, replying whenever we got the chance. In 
the evening, at about eight o'clock, the Spaniards fired three guns 
and then opened a very heavy rifle fire, their skirmishers coming 

well forward. 

MEN IN THE TRENCHES. 

" I got all my men down into the trenches, as did the other 
command near me,' and we opened a heavy return fire. The 
Spanish advance was at once stopped, and after an hour their fire 
died away. This night we completed most of our trenches and 
began to build bomb proofs. The protection afforded our men 
was good, and the next morning I had but one man wounded from 
the rifle and shell fire until twelve o'clock, when the truce came. 

"I do not mention the officers and men who particularly dis- 
tinguished themselves as I have nothing to add in this respect to 
what was contained in my former letter. 

" There were numerous Red Cross flags flying in the various 
parts of the city, two of them so arranged that they directly 
covered batteries in our front and for some time were the cause 
of our not fi-ring at them. The Spanish guerrillas were very 
active, especially in our rear, where they seemed by preference to 
attack the wounded men who were being carried on litters, the 
doctors and medical attendants with Red Cross flags on theii 
arms and the burial parties. 

*' I organized a detail of sharpshooters and sent them out 
after the guerrillas, of whom they killed thirteen. Two of the 
'^eu thus killed were shot several hours after the truce had been 



STORY 01- BRAVE EXPLOITS. r,^^ 

in operation, because, in spite of this fact, they kept fn'm^ upon 
our men as the\^ went to draw water. They were stationed in the 
trees, as the guerrillas were generally, and, owing to the density 
of the foliage and to the use of smokeless powder rifles, it was an 
exceedingly difficult matter to locate them. 

"For the next seven days, until the loth, we lay in our line- 
while the truce continued. We had continually to work at addi- 
tional bombproofs and at the trenches, and as we had no proper 
supply of food and utterly inadequate medical facilities the mc-n 
suffered a good deal. The officers chipped together, purchased 
beans, tomatoes and sugar for the men, so that they might have 
some relief from the bacon and hardtack. With a great deal of 
difficulty we got them coffee. 

FOUGHT AFTER BEING WOUNDED. 

"As for the sick and wounded, they suffered so in the hospitals 
^;hen sent to the rear for lack of food and attention that we found 
it best to keep them at the front and give them such care as our 
own doctors could. As I mentioned in m}'- previous letter, 
thirteen of our wounded men continued to iio^ht throufrh the 
battle in spite of their injuries. In spite of their wounds those 
sent to the rear, many both sick and wounded, came up to rejoin 
us as soon as their condition allowed them to walk. 

" On the loth the truce was at an end and the bombardment 
reopened. As far as our lines were concerned, it was on the 
Spanish part very feeble. We suffered no losses, and speedily 
got the fire from their trenches in our front completely under 
control. On the nth we moved three-quarters of a mile to the 
right, the truce again being on. 

" Nothing happened there, except we continued to watch and 
do our best to get the men, especially the sick, properly fed. 
Having no transportation, and being able to get hardly any 
through the regular channels, we used anything we could find — 
captured Spanish cavalry horses, abandoned mules, some of which 
had been injured, but which our men took and cured; diminutive, 
skinny ponies purchased from the Cubans, etc. 



^^ STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOIXa 

" By these means and by the exertions of the officers we were 
able, from time to time, to get supplies of beans, sugar, tomatoes 
and even oatmeal, while from the Red Cross people we got our 
invaluable load of rice, cornmeal, etc. 

^ "All of this was of the utmost consequence, not only for the 
sick, but for those nominally well, as the lack of proper food was 
telling terribly on the men. It was utterly impossible to o-et 
them clothes and shoes. Those they had were, in many cas'^es 
literally droj^ping to pieces. ' 

" On the seventeenth the city surrendered. On the eighteenth 
we shifted camp to here, the best camp we have had, but the march 
hither under the noonday sun told very heavily on our men 
weakened by underfeeding and overwork, and the next mornino- 
123 cases were reported to the doctor, and I now have but half o^f 
the 600 men, with which I landed four weeks ago, fit for duty 
and these are not fit to do anything like the work they could 
do then. 

A NIGHT OF HARDSHIPS. 

" As we had but one wagon, the change necessitated leaving 
much of my stuff behind, with a night of discomfort, with scanty 
shelter and scanty food for the most of the officers and many of 
the men. Only the possession of the improvised pack train 
alluded to above, saved us from being worse. 

" Yesterday I sent in a detail of six officers and men to see if 
they could not purchase or make arrangements for a supply of 
proper food and proper clothing for the men, even if we had to 
pay It out of our own pockets. Our suffering has been due, 
primarily, to lack of transportation and of proper food or suffi- 
cient clothing and of medical supplies. 

'' We should now have wagon sheets for tentage. Very 
respectfully, ^ 

Among the United States regulars whose terms of enlistment 
expired during the Santiago campaign, and who quit the service 
upon returning to this country, was a man of the Ninth Infantry 



STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS. W1 



known to the members of the regiment as Johnson of Maryland. 
He was a tall, lanky Southerner, and the pride of the Ninth be- 
cause of his marksmanship, which was so true that Johnson was 
head and shoulders over all the others in handling a Krag- 

Jorgensen. 

He appeared to be the most contented man in Uncle Sam s 
service, and often spoke of re-enlisting, until an event occurred 
just after the first day's fighting at San Juan, which caused Imn 
to change his mind, and he vowed never to handle a gun again. 
He would never speak of it to his comrades, but they all knew 
why he quit ; and although they argued and tried to persuade hini 
to remain, Johnson only sookhis head and said, " No, boys, I can t 
stay with you any longer. I'd like to, but don^t ask me again. 
I can't do it. I must get out." 

STORY OF A TROOPER. 
Que of the members of Johnson's company tells the story o' 
what caused the Ninth to loose its crack shot. 

" We had been engaged in the hottest kind of work for som. 
hours, and after taking the first line of Spanish trenches we wcr 
fixing them up for our own use. The Spaniards had been driven 
back but their sharpshooters were still at it, picking off our men 
here'and there. The Mauser bullets were whizzmg around us 
pr'etty lively, and I noticed that Johnson was getting more and 
SmpatLt every minute, and acting as if he -as jnst aJiing 
to get at those Spanish sharpshooters, andfinally he turned to n. 
anfin his drawling tone, said: 'Say, its tough we can t get a 

"^^"i^ iTgot his chance, however, for just as dusk began oni 

could see. ^„ ^^ rec-ived our final orders. 

^'Just before night came on we recavea 



STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOrK. 



which were to pay particular attention to the brush just ahead of 
us on the other side of the clearing, and to shoot at the first head 
we saw. We had settled down to our tiresome occupation of 
watching and waiting, but always prepared for anything, and 
Johnson and I were talking in low tones of the day's fighting v/e 
had just passed through, when we heard the sound of a dry twi^ 
breaking. We were alert in an instant, and all the men in our 
Ime were looking straight ahead with pieces half raised, ready for 
use As I looked at Johnson I could see him smile, apparently 
with the hope of a chance to shoot. The sound repeated itself 
this time a little nearer, but still quite indistinct. 

'' An instant later we again heard it, and it sounded directly 
ahead of Johnson and me, and was, beyond a doubt, a cautious 
tread but too heavy for a man. While we waited in almost 
breathless silence for something to happen we again heard the 
cautious tread, now quite plain. It was the tread of a horse and 
was just ahead of us. Suddenly, as the head became plainer a 
dark object appeared just above the top of the brush. Dozens' of 
guns were raised, but Johnson whispered : 'I've got him.' 

HORSE AND RIDER STEP OUT. 

"He crawled a few paces forward and we saw him raise his 
gun, his fingers nervously working on the trigger. At that 
instant the brush parted and a horse and rider stepped out. We 
saw Johnson stretch out his piece and we expected to see a flash, 
but just then the nder turned in his saddle, and by the dim ligh 
from the dull red glow that still tinged the sky we saw a pair of 
eyeglasses flash We all knew at once who it was, but not one 
of us spoke We were probably too horrified, and before I could 
say a word Johnson turned to me, and with a look on his face I 
shall never forget, exclaimed in a hoarse voice • 

" ^uJS'l^■ ^.^°' ^°°^^^<=1' ' And I neariy plucked him i' 

Wi h this he threw his gun from him and just sat there 

.nd stared at the place in the brush where Colonel Roosevelt and 

his horse had entered. The latter, when he heard the voices of 

our men, came straight up to us, and appeared surprised to find 



STORY OF BRAVE i:Xl'LOn"S. M9 



Tis SO fat beyond tlie trench. When he heard of tlio ohUts ahout 
shooting at the first head we saw, he smiled and said : 

"'That is the first I've heard of Llie orders. They were 
probably issued while I was away on a little rcconnoitcring on 
my own hook.' 

'^He spoke cheeringly to the men about and passed on, liitK 
dunking how near he was to death a few minutes before. The 
more we thought of it after he passed the more in the dumps we 
got, for every one of us loved the Colonel of the Rough Riders, 
particularly for his kindness to his men, and I tell you it was a 
gloomy crowd that sat there watching Johnson, who, with hi., 
head supported by his hand, was either praying or thinking 

hard 

NOT HAPPY AFTERWARD. 

"We were relieved shortly afterward, and as we marched 
back in silence Johnson walked with bowed head and none of us 
spoke to him, for we imagined that he felt as if he would like to 
be alone. From that day Johnson showed a restlessness that was 
new to him, and I never saw him so happy as the day he stepped 
aboard the transport bound for home. 

"I don't know whether any word of the affair ever reached 
Colonel Roosevelt's ears, but it was a mighty narrow :e.scape, and 
I tell you that I would rather have twenty-five Spaniards with 
a bead on me at loo yards than for Johnson to pick me out for a 
target at 300 yards. In the first case you would have a good 
chance of escaping injury, but_ with Johnson shooting it was a 
clear case of cashing in your chips." 

THE BALLAD OF "TEDDY'S TERRORS." 

As RELATED BY ROUND-UP RUBE. OF RATTLESNAKE GlLCK. 

There was a lovely regiment whose men was strong and stout. 
Fer some, they had diplomas, and fer some uus warrants ou 
And Wood he was their colonel bold, an' Teddy was Ins mate. 
^HH^ev called 'em "Tedd/s Lambkin's." fer their gentleness wus ^t 
N t a /oodte ^n named Shafter says to Teddy and to Wood :_ 
"Xlere^ a joint called Santiago where we ain't w.U under.t.od.- 



510 STORY OF BRAVE EXPLOITS. 

So, take yer lamb-like regiment, and if you are polite 

I think yer gentle little ways '11 set the matter right." 

So when Teddy's boy's got movin' and the sun was on the fry, 

And the atmosphere was coaxing them to lay right down and die, 

Some gents from Santiago who wus mad 'cause they was there 

Lay down behind some bushes to put bullets through their hain 

Now Teddy's happy Sunday School wus movin' on its way 

A-seekin' in its peaceful style some Dagos fer to slay ; 

And the gents from Santiago, with aversion in their hearts, 

Wus hiding at the cross-roads fer to blow 'em all apart. 

There's a Spanish comic paper that has give us sundry digs — 

A-caUin' of us cowards and dishonest Yankee pigs; 

And I guess these folks had read it, and had thought 'twould be immense 

Jest to paralyze them lambkins they wus runnin' up agains'. 

So when our boys had pretty near arrived where they wus at, 

And the time it was propitious fer to start that there combat, 

They let her fly a-thinkin' they would make a dreadful tear. 

An' then rubber-necked to see if any Yankees wus still there. 

Now you can well imagine wot a dreadful start they had 

To see 'em still a' standin' there and lookin' bold and bad, 

Fer when this gentle regiment had heard the bullets fly, 

They had a vi-lent hankerin' to make them Spaniards die. 

So Teddy, he came runnin' with his glasses on his nose, 

And when the Spanish saw his teeth you may believe they froze ; 

And Wood was there 'long with 'im, with his cheese-knife in his hand. 

While at their heels came yellin' all that peaceful, gentle band. 

They fought them bloody Spaniards at their own familiar game, 

And the gents from Santiago didn't like it quite the same — 

Fer you plug yer next door neighbor with a rifle ball or two 

And he don't feel so robustous as when he's a-pluggin' you. 

So when the shells wus hoppin', while the breech-blocks clicked and smoked, 

An' the powder wouldn't blow away until a fellow choked. 

That regiment of Yankee pigs wus gunnin' through the bush. 

An' raisin* merry hell with that there Santiago push. 

Then Teddy seen 'em runnin', and he gives a monstrous bawl. 

And grabbed a red-hot rifle where a guy had let it fall, 

And fixin' of his spectacles more firmly on his face, 

He started to assassinate them all around the place. 



STORY OF BRAVE I'Xl'l.UlTS. ^t 

So through the scrubby underbrush from bay' n't plant t(. tree, 

Where the thorns would rip a feller's pants a shockin' sight to sec, 

He led his boy's a-dancin' on, a shoutin' left and right, 

And not missin' many Spanish knobs that showed 'emsclves in sight. 

And when them Santiago gents wns finished to their cost, 

Then Teddy's boys, they took a look, and found tiiat they wns lost. 

And as tlieir crewel enemies was freed from earthly pain, 

They all sat down to wait for friends to lead 'em back a'.vain. 

That's the tale of Teddy's terrors, and the valiant deed they done. 

But all tales, they should have morals, so o' course this tale has one. 

So paste this idea in yer cage, wotcver else you do, 

Fer perhaps you'll thank me fer it yet before yer game is through : — 

The soldier-boy that wears the blue is gentle-like and meek. 

But I doubt he'll mind the Bible if you soak him on the cheek; 

An' should you get him riled a bit, you want to have a care, 

Fer if he ever starts to fight he'll finish — Gawd knows where ! 

Stephen F. Whitman. 



THE NOMINATION. 

As the time for the uommating conventions in 1900 drew near, 
public attention was turned to Mr. Roosevelt as a candidate for 
Vice-President. The nomination was thrust tipon him. In 
nominating Governor Roosevelt for Vice-President, Colonel 
Young of Iowa, spoke as follows: 

"On the ship Yucatan was that famotis regiment of Rough 
Paders of the far West and the Mississippi Valley (applause). In 
command of that regiment was that fearless young American, 
student, scholar, plainsman, reviewer, historian, statesman, sol- 
dier, of the middle West by adoption, of New York by birth. 
That fleet sailed around the point, coming to the place of landing, 
stood off the harbor, two years ago to-morrow, and the navy bom- 
barded that shore to make a place for landing, and no man who 
lives who was in that campaign as an officer, as a soldier, or as a 
camp follower, can fail to recall the spectacle ; and, if he closes 
his eyes he sees the awful scenes in that campaign iu June and 
July, 1898. 



512 STOR\ OF BRAVE EXPLOl-re. 

"And the leader of that campaign of one of those regiments 
shaU be the name that I shall place before the Convention for the 
office of Vice-President of the United States (^applause.) 

"Now, gentlemen of the Convention, I place before yon this 
distinguished leader of Republicanism of the United States ;'-this 
leader of the aspirations of the people, whose hearts are right, 
and this leader of the aspirations of the young men of this country. 
Their hearts and consciences are with this young leader, whom I 
shall name for the Vice-Presidency of the United States — Theodore 
Roosevelt, of New York." (Loud cheering.) 

When the roll of states was cailed, it is needless to say every 
delegate voted for Roosevelt with one exception, and that was 
himself A demonstration of the wildest and most enthusiastic 
character, and lasting half an hour, followed the announcement 
that Roosevelt was the nominee for Vice-President. 

Palms were waved, the standards of the various delegations 
were hurried to the platform, the band attempted to make itself 
heard amid the loud acclaim, processions of excited, cheering dele- 
gates marched up and down the aisles, and the popular New York 
Governor was congratulated by as many as could get within 
reach of hiia* 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Electrocution of Czolgosz, President McKinley's Assassin- 
Death Knell to Anarchy— Last Moments of the Culprit 
End of the Great Tragedy. 

AT twelve minutes after seven o'clock on Tuesday niorniru 
^"^ October 29tli, 1901, the wretch who took the life of Presidii 
McKinley went to his doom, and with his own life paid t!; 
penalty of his crime. 

When the death warrant was read to Czolgosz the cvenin 
before his execution, he was unaffected. Sullenly and stiipidlv 
he appeared to listen to the words, but he gave no evidence fl<at 
he appreciated their import. 

His brother, Waldek, and his brother-in-law visited hiiu tw- 
days before he was electrocuted. He greeted them with a simp!. 
" Hello," and this conversation ensued : 

Waldek Czoslgoz. — "I wish you would tell us, Leon, who 
got you intc^ this scrape ? " 

The Assassin. — " Nobody had anything to do with it but me." 
Waldek. — "That is not how you were brought up, aud you 
ought to tell us everything now." 

The Assassin. — "I haven't got anything to tell." 
Waldek. — " Do you want to see the priests again ? " 
The Assassin. — "No ; dont send them here again." 
The assassin's brother intended to take the body, after thr 
autopsy, to Buffalo for cremation, but it was feared riotous demon- 
strations would follow such an attempt. The brother finally 
yielded to the urgent persuasion of the prison authorities and 
signed the following document : 

"Auburn, N. Y., October 28, 1901. 
"To J. WARREN MEx\D, Agent and Warden Auburn Prison— 
" I hereby authorize you as Warden of Auburn Prison, t- 
dispose of the body of my brother, Leon F. Czolgosz, by buryin:^ 
it in the cemetery attached to the prison, as provided by the la\v 
of the State of New York. 

"This request is made upon the express understanding that 
88 McK ^^'■^ 



6i. ELECTROCUTION OF CZ0LG0S2. 

no part of the remains will be given to any person or society, but 
tbat the entire body will be buried, in accordance witb tbe law, in 
tbe crmetery attached to the prison. 

(Signed) WALDEK CZOLGOSZ." 

"Witnesses— JOHN A. SLEICHER and G. E. GRAHAM." 

VISITED BY RELATIVES. 

The brother and brother-in-law astonished the Warden of the 
prison by asking permission to see the electrocution, a request 
which was promptly denied. They appeared to be as lacking in 
intelligence and sensibility as the culprit himself. 

Czolgosz retired the night before his execution at lO 
o'clock and slept so soundly that when Warden Mead went to 
the cell shortl}/ before 5 o'clock in the morning the guard inside 
had to shake Czolgosz to awaken him. 

At 5.15, the guard brought to him a pair of dark trou- 
sers, with the left leg slit so as to allow the free application of 
the electrodes, and a light gray outing shirt. He was told to get 
up and put these on, which he did. 

Contrary to the usual custom, he was given a new pair of 
shoes. When dressed, he lay down on the cot again, and in this 
attitude Superintend '^nt Collins found him at 5.30, when he went 
down to visit him. 

After the superintendent had left, the guards brought Czol- 
gosz's breakfast, consisting of coffee, toast, eggs and bacon, and 
he ate with quite a good deal of relish. 

The prison physician, Dr. Gerin, and Dr. Carlos F. Mac- 
Donald, of New York, took a position to the left of the chair. 
Warden Mead stood directly in front, and Electrician Davis 
retired to the little room containing the electrical switchboard. 

Warden Mead gave the signal to have the prisoner brought 
in, and at 7.10 o'clock. Chief Keeper Tupper swung open the 
big steel door leading to the condemned cells, and as the steel 
bars behind which Czolgosz had been kept were swung aside 
two guards marched the prisoner out into the corridor, two others 
following, and the chief keeper walking in front. . 



ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. 



616 



Tlie guards on either side of Czolgosz had hohl of his arms 
as if either to support him or to keep him from making a dcmoii- 
stratioiL As he stepped over the threshold he stumbled, but they 




CHAIR AT AUBURN PRISON IN WHICH CZOLGOSZ WAS 
ELECTROCUTED. 

the chair rests. His head ^vas erect, and «uh Ms g . 



616 ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. 

shirt turned back at tlie neck, lie looked quite boyisli. He was 
intensely pale, and as ke tried to throw his head back and carry 
himself erect his chin quivered very perceptibly. As he was 
being seated he looked about at the assembled witnesses with 
quite a stead}^ stare and said : 

"I killed the President because he was an enemy of the f^ood 
working people." 

His voice trembled slightly at first, but gained strength with 
each word, and he spoke in English. 

"I am not sorry for my crime," he said, just as the guard 
pushed his head back on the rubber head rest and drew the strap 
across his forehead and chin. As the pressure on the straps 
tightened and bound the jaw slightly he mumbled : 

" I'm awfully sorry I could not see my father." 

When the strapping was completed and the guards stepped 
back, Warden Mead raised his hand and Electrician Davis turned 
the switch that brought 1,700 volts of electricity into his bod>' 
The rush ofthe current threw the body so hard against the straps that 
they creaked perceptibly. The hands clinched suddenly and the 
whole attitude was one of extreme tension. For forty-five 
seconds the full current was kept on and then slowly the elec- 
trician threw the switch back reducing the current until it was 
cut off entirely. Then just as it reached that point he threw 
the lever back again for two or three seconds. 

The body, which had collapsed as the current was reduced, 
stiffened up again against the straps. When it was turned off 
again Dr. MacDonald stepped to the chair and put his hand over 
the heart. He said he felt no pulsation, but suggested that the 
current be turned on for a few seconds again. Once more the 
body became rigid. At 7.15 the current was turned off for good. 
From the time Czolgosz had left his cell until the full penalty 
was paid, only a few minutes had elapsed ; and at 7.17 the warden, 
raising his hand, announced: "Gentlemen, the prisoner is 
dead." 

The witnesses filed from the chamber, many of them visibly 
affected, and tlie body was takeu from tlie ghair. 



ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. »17 

Electrician Davis made the following statement as to the 
execution : 

"I used 1,700 volts of electricity, turning it into the body at 
full voltage, and then slowly reducing it. Then I threw the full 
voltage on again for several seconds. Then, at the suggestion of 
Dr. IMacDonald, I turned it on again for a few seconds. I did not 
think there was any necessity for the third contact, and tlic lack 
of resistance shown when it was administered proved that life was 
extinct. The body showed eight ampheres of resistance. That 
is a little more than would be given by a larger or stouter man 
where the current could have more chance to percolate." 

When the bod}^ of Czolgosz had been removed from the *.'cctnc 
chair to the autopsy table. Auburn Prison returned to the routin.c 
of its ordinary life. The prisoner;, who had been kept locked in 
their cells, were released at 7.45 o'clock, and prison work was 
resumed at once. There was no excitement among the convict.«. 
Scarcely a hundred people had gathered outside the prison gate 
to watch the witnesses enter and wait until they reappeared. 

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS BURNED. 

Rev. Cordello Herrick, chaplain of the prison, was in 
the death chamber, ready for any call that might be made 
for his services. He was not wanted by the prisoner, how 
ever, and sat quietly in the rear of the chamber, throughout 
the execution. The clothing and personal effects of tht. 
prisoner were burned under direction of Warden Mead shortly 
after the execution. 

Naturally, almost the entire attention of the ph\siciaus 
assigned to hold the autopsy was directed towards discovering ^'t 
possible whether the assassin was in any way mentally irrcspo::- 
sible. The autopsy was conducted by Drs. Carlos F. MacDonaUi, 
E. A. Spitzka, and Prison Physician Gerin. The skul'i was 
found to be of normal thickness, and it was the unanim^is 
acrreement of the microscopical examination that the brain was 
normal or slightly above normal. This demonstrated to^the sati.s- 
faction of the physicians that iu uo way was Cwlgo^g's meutal 



61» ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. 

condition, except as it might have been perverted, responsible for 
the crime. 

The autopsy was completed shortly before noon, when the 
surgeons issued the following brief statement : 

" The autopsy was made by Dr. Edward A. Spitzka, of New 
York, under the immediate supervision and direction of Dr 
Carlos F. MacDonald, of New York, and Dr. John Gerin, Prisor. 
Physician. The autopsy occupied over three hours, and embraced 
a careful examination of all the bodily organs, including the brain. 
The examination revealed a perfectly healthy state of all the 
organs, including the brain. 

*'A11 of the physicians who attended the execution were 
present at the autopsy, and all concurred in the finding of the 
examiners. 

(Signed) JOHN GERIN, M. D. 

CARLOS F. Mcdonald, m. d. 

E. A. SPITZKA, M. D." 

KEPT IN RIGID SECLUSION. 

Czolgosz was a carefully secluded prisoner in Auburn Peni- 
tentiary, and his confinement and execution were devoid of sen- 
sationalism. State Superintendent of Prisons Cornelius V. 
Collins was determined that the prisoner, despite the enormity of 
his crime, should gain no undue notoriety, and issued strict orders 
for his complete seclusion. These orders were carefully carried 
out, and from the time the prisoner entered the prison until he 
was brought to the death chair he was practically cut off from 
public view. 

During his imprisonment the mail has brought more than 
1,500 letters, papers and packages to the prisoner, but none of 
these were delivered to him. They came from the army of 
letter writing cranks, and were of every character, from 
harmless to vicious. The prison officials felt that the delivery 
of such a quantity of mail would not only seriously dis- 
turb him, but would have given him false ideas as to his im- 
portance and promineuce. The other convicts in the death 



ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. 6iy 

house were not permitted to talk to him, and the guards who kept 
ihe death vigil watched in unbroken silence. 

The seclusion of the prisoner operated both ways, for if tlie 
world went on in ignorance of the life of the prisoner from day to 
day, the prisoner lived in ignorance of what went on in tlie w(jrld 
The rule of silence as to the prisoner was broken that he might 
have opportunity to prepare himself spiritually for his death. 
The rule was also broken in a final effort to secure a confession 
from the condemned man. The prison ofi&cials felt that it was 
their duty to again seek to ascertain if others plotted with him or 
abetted him in the murderous plan that he carried out at Buffalo, 
and early in October Superintendent Collins had a lengthy inter- 
view with him. Night was chosen for the inquiry, and at 9 o'clock 
the Superintendent called upon Czolgosz. 

THREW NO LIGHT ON HIS CRIME- 

The prisonei svas transferred to another part of the prison 
where there was no one to overhear the conversation. For the 
first few minutes Czolgosz sat in sullen silence, and the Superin- 
tendent began to despair of getting any information. Finally, 
just as he was about to leave, Czolgosz answered one of his 
queries. From that time on he talked freely, but his utterances 
contained no enlightment as to the cause for his crime. The most 
important statement he made was one in which he absolutely 
deaied that he had a handkerchief tied about his hand or that 
the pistol was concealed in any other place than his coat pocket. 

Great secrecy was observed in the disposition of the body. 
It was put under ground so quickly and so quietly that few aside 
from the officials knew it had left the prison. The autopsy was 
finished at noon, though Dr. Spitzka remained a short time after 
the othei- doctors had departed to make drawings of the brain. In 
t^e prison office Warden Mead was making hasty preparations to 
get the body off his hands with all possible speed. During the 
noon hour wagons, trucks, etc., leave the prison yard daily. The 
warden planned to get the body away at this time so that those 
who were watching would not see the body removed. 



520 ELECTROCUTION OF CZOLGOSZ. 

The body, wrapped only in a sheet, was placed in a wooden 
box and loaded on a trnck, which is used for hauling freight to the 
station. A huge dry goods box was placed on top of the impro- 
vised coffin and the truck was piled high wnth articles of mer- 
chandise. At i.io o'clock the truck drove out of the State street 
gate of the prison. A guard in citizen's clothes was on the seat. 
Those who had watched the truck's departure little realized that 
the wooden box, the end of which was visible from the rear, con- 
tained the body of the assassin. 

The wagon drove in the direction of the Lehigh Valley freight 
depot, as if to deposit its freight there. Instead it proceeded to 
the prison lot at Fort Hill. Extraordinary precautions were taken 
to destroy the body of the assassin. Warden Mead conferred with 
some of the physicians present, and determined, in conjunction 
with Superintendent Collins, that the purpose of the law was the 
dc '.ruction of the body. 

BODY DESTROYED BY ACID. 

Accordingly a carb y of acid was obtained and poured upon 
the body in the coffin after it had been lowered into the grave. It 
was the belief of the physicians that the body would be entirely 
disintegrated within twelve hours. It was arranged that during 
that time, and as long as deemed necessary, a guard should be 
kept over the unmarked grave. 

Next to the witnesses in the death chamber at Auburn 
Prison, where Leon Czolgosz was electrocuted, there were no 
more interested witnesses to the vir iication of justice than a 
little group of men who had gathered in the office of the 
Associated Press in Cleveland, Ohio, to receive news of the 
electrocution. This group included the father and two brothers 
of the assassin. 

The same seeming indifference that characterized the mem- 
bers of the Czolgosz family was maintained to the end, and when 
the statement that Leon Czolgosz had been put to death was told 
to the old man in Polish his fingers ■*:witched for a minute 
and a suspicion of a tear was seen to come into his dark eyes. 

57 4 









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